Earlier today, the US Mint released the fifth and final America the Beautiful Quarter® for 2010. At 10:25 am Pacific Time (1:25 Eastern), the Mint’s dignitaries gathered at the World Forestry Center in Portland for the official announcement and introduction of the new Mount Hood National Forest quarter.
The first four quarters in the new America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, in order, included Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
But, the fifth quarter recognizes Mount Hood National Forest instead of a National Park. In the series, the quarters represent national sites that can be national parks, national forests, national historic sites or other relevant site for the state or territory – 56 in all.
The sites were jointly chosen by the Treasury Department (US Mint), the Interior Department and the governor or chief executive of each state and territory. As per Public Law 110-456, the sites honored on the reverse of the quarters from 2010 through 2021 will be representative and easily recognizable as a national treasure.
In addition, the sites will be introduced and the quarters released in the order in which the national site was officially recognized as such.
The name “Mount Hood National Forest” did not apply until 1924, but the forest reserve was set aside in 1893 as the Cascade Range Forest Reserve. This area was divided into several National Forests in 1908, one of which was the Oregon National Forest which became Mount Hood in 1924.
Today, the National Forest area stretches over one million acres with people enjoying a variety of activities in the forest throughout the year.
The Mount Hood National Forest Quarter shows a view of the Lost Lake in front of the forest leading to the peak of Mount Hood.
Of course, Mount Hood is a volcano, but its last eruption was in 1790, long before Lewis and Clark’s westward expedition in 1804-1805.
Over 200 years later, the snow covered mountain with its pristine forests provide a glimpse of what Lewis and Clark saw as they explored the frontier.
As our fast-paced activities keep us busy, these beautiful quarters serve to remind us of the beauty our great nation offers not only in the 56 chosen national sites but also in other parks and protected areas.
You can find more information about the Mount Hood quarters on a variety of US Mint sites:
America the Beautiful Quarters® Program
In the meantime, a variety of the quarters are available from the Mint. It’s also fun to watch for these new quarters in pocket change.