America Money Ppm
The first quarters released in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program quickly received a nickname of National Park quarters. However, this title can be slightly misleading. Not all of the quarters being released during the U.S. Mint’s 12 year program will feature national parks. Many of the quarters will honor other kinds of national sites as well. These include national monuments, memorial parks, or wildlife preserves. As seen on one of the first five coins issued, the quarters also honor national forests.
Hot Springs National Park Quarter
The scheduled release for the program's coins is in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national location. On April 20th, 1832, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas became one of America’s first protected sites. Even though the area was initially a reservation, and not officially named a national park until 1921, Hot Springs National Park is still considered the oldest site. It earned its spot as the first coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
The quarter shares the marvel of the waters flowing from part of Ouachita Mountain range. The natural 143 degree Fahrenheit water, emerging from 47 hot springs in the national park’s land, is used primarily for therapeutic baths and drinking. The park aims to protect the amazing springs, and the eight historic bathhouses which utilize their healing power. The quarter’s design displays the park’s headquarters with a thermal fountain in the forefront. A small National Park Service emblem is positioned to the right of the building also.
