Sigh ... ANOTHER 11+-Year Quarter Program

[astrostu]

Anyone burnt out from the current one yet? I know I am. And yet, we have YET ANOTHER HOUSE BILL to START ANOTHER ONE.

 

Here is the article on the congressman's website:

 

Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC -- Based on the successful 50-state quarters program, Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) stood in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia on Monday and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC today to introduce a new quarter series to honor National Parks and other historic sites. This legislation, America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 (H.R. 6184), would begin circulation of quarter dollar coins that are emblematic of a national park or other historic site in each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States. Rep. Castle believes that this program will be another successful initiative for the U.S. Mint along with numismatists, students, and all Americans.

 

"I authored the 50 State Commemorative Coin Act more than a decade ago," Rep. Castle said. "There has been wonderful feedback from students, educators, and coin collectors. Even people who had never stopped to notice their coins before were eager to see what image would be on the next quarter. The U.S. Mint estimates that the state quarter program will make more than $6.2 billion in revenue, $3.7 billion more than regular quarters alone.

 

Washington is constantly spending money, but it is rare for a government program to generate funds for the U.S. Treasury. Another coin series I am proud to have established is the Presidential $1 Coin Program- which has also produced general revenue funds for the U.S.

 

"This new series has the potential to be just as successful as the state quarter program. The bill instructs the U.S. Mint to issue five new quarter designs per year for the fifty states, D.C., and the U.S. Territories. This new program would give us an exciting way to honor our national parks and historic sites, such as Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park or maybe even the Liberty Bell or the U.S. Capitol."

 

At today's press conference Rep. Castle was joined by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), an original co-sponsor of the bill and fellow member of the Financial Services Committee.

 

“The 50-state quarter program has been a tremendous success. This new coin program would give us an exciting new way to continue highlighting the unique diversity of our 50 states by honoring a national park or historic site in each of them and putting it on a coin,” said Rep. Maloney. “Heads or tails, this bill is a win for each our national parks, states, and our country. It has been an honor to work with my good friend Mr. Castle again on this bill, and I appreciate his leadership.”

 

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), also an original co-sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement following today's press conference.

 

"I am proud to support this legislation, which not only honors our Nation's natural and historic treasures, but also benefits the United States Treasury and taxpayer by generating a unique source of revenue," said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Chair of the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology. "I am also pleased that our nation's Capital will be appropriately recognized with its own commemorative quarter. It is only appropriate that, in paying tribute to our history, we recognize the city that has been at the center of law and justice since the days of George Washington himself."

 

These coins will be issued in the order the National Park or historical site was designated. Sites are not limited to National Parks; they may also feature a wildlife refuge or historical place. In deciding which location to place on the coin, the Secretary of the Treasury will make the final decision after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior and state governors about which location should be chosen for each coin.

 

 

This is a link to the actual text of the bill (not pasting the bill here due to formatting): http://www.theorator.com/bills110/text/hr6184.html

 

 

THE FOLLOWING IS MY OWN TAKE ON THIS BILL

 

1) Do we REALLY NEED another "state quarters" program? I mean, come on!

 

2) I'm glad that they're actually including DC and territories this time without additional legislation needed. That should save at least some aggravation down the road if this passes.

 

3) Sec. 102(t)(3)(F) ... Huzzah! No more coins where some states have outlines, some states have filled in maps, and some don't. Just all don't. Some consistency!

 

4) Sec. 102(t)(7)(F)(i) ... Oh geez ... this thing could last longer than 11 years 'cause the Secretary may decide to start all over again after the last "state" is recognized and go with a SECOND national site in each state. My shelf is going to fall apart from the weight of quarters!

 

5) Sec. 102(t)(8) ... okay, we FINALLY have an idea of what will happen at the end of the program (if it ever ends ... in 2030 or so?) - we go back to Washington on the obverse (that'll be pushing 100 years for when he got on) but a reverse of Washington crossing the Delaware ... so basically the New Jersey state quarter?

 

6) Sec. 201 ... Oh geez (again) ... 5-oz silver bullion coins!? Of EACH "quarter?!" Granted, that could be pretty, and a nice alternative to the First Spouse gold, but ... but ... that's like an extra $500 I'd have to spend every year!

[harvey8542]

More from the mint

[ritter]

they want ur money

[ritter]

give it up.like gas ,food and ur first born

 

[DC Dawg]

Can we give the quarters a rest and do something with the dime? How about changing Roosevelts? After all, Teddy Roosevelt was the one who forced the change in coinage. TR engaged Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Victor David Brenner to come up with historic designs. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are one coins. The only one on Mount Rushmore not honored on a coin is TR! Why don't we honor the youngest president of the US? (Roosevelt was younger than JFK when he was inaugurated following McKinley's assassination, JFK was the youngest elected president).

 

Scott

[pendragon1998]

I don't think that I'd characterize most people as 'eager to see what the next design would be.' Most conversations I've had with people have gone like this:

 

ME: So, have you seen the new state quarter?

 

THEM: Oh, no. Which one is it?

 

ME: (fill in the blank). Here ya go.

 

THEM: (glancing at it) Huh. Cool. So, what's for lunch?

 

 

Why not just make American Idol quarters? I guarantee that they'll be an explosive success.

 

 

 

 

[bsshog40]

As long as they keep the number of coins up incirculation, this means alot more moolah for the Gov.. Next yrear will be more Lincolnc, and Qtrs., and Prez Dollars, and higher mint set prices, more options for them to sell all these new coins, etc.....

[jtryka]

The 5-ounce, 3" diameter silver quarter is right out of shop-at-home TV!

[James_OldeTowne]

I have not saved one single State quarter, and won't be bothered by these, either.

[CHABSENTIA]

I have not saved one single State quarter, and won't be bothered by these, either.

 

Why would anybody purchase a coin which has a large circulation but represents a Commemorative coin which is already in existence such as the Bald Eagle?

[MarkFeld]

Anyone burnt out from the current one yet? I know I am. And yet, we have YET ANOTHER HOUSE BILL to START ANOTHER ONE.

If you're burnt out, there's a very easy solution - ignore them.

[physics-fan3.14]

Anyone burnt out from the current one yet? I know I am. And yet, we have YET ANOTHER HOUSE BILL to START ANOTHER ONE.

If you're burnt out, there's a very easy solution - ignore them.

 

That's what I started doing halfway through. Now I'm left with a half filled album and its bugging the daylights out of me, but I don't care enough to buy the rest, and I don't even care enough to look for the rest. A state parks series would be dumb. A presidential series is dumb. I think that Reagan should be put on the dime, either that or liberty.

 

Return Lady Liberty to our coinage!

[astrostu]

Anyone burnt out from the current one yet? I know I am. And yet, we have YET ANOTHER HOUSE BILL to START ANOTHER ONE.

If you're burnt out, there's a very easy solution - ignore them.

 

That's what I started doing halfway through. Now I'm left with a half filled album and its bugging the daylights out of me, but I don't care enough to buy the rest, and I don't even care enough to look for the rest. A state parks series would be dumb. A presidential series is dumb. I think that Reagan should be put on the dime, either that or liberty.

 

Return Lady Liberty to our coinage!

 

That's why. I don't want to be stuck with a half-completed collection ... or at this point, an 84% completed collection. Especially when they can be had for face value. I keep thinking, "If only my parents would have saved coins when they were children, then I could have all these silver coins now for cheap," (since I was born in the '80s). I don't want to be thinking the same thing of myself in 20 years.

 

And no, Reagan should not be put on the dime, we need to stop politicizing the portrayed design. It's impossible to get these OLD DEAD MEN off the coins now because no one wants to be the politician to say, "We should remove Washington/Lincoln/Roosevelt/Jefferson from the coins." How "un-American." I've said it before and I'll say it again, we need a president like TR who's willing to just go all-out and demand that the coins all be re-designed to actually be something artistic (and yes, I do realize that he was the one who got VDB to do Lincoln).

 

[harvey8542]

Anyone burnt out from the current one yet? I know I am. And yet, we have YET ANOTHER HOUSE BILL to START ANOTHER ONE.

If you're burnt out, there's a very easy solution - ignore them.

 

That's what I started doing halfway through. Now I'm left with a half filled album and its bugging the daylights out of me, but I don't care enough to buy the rest, and I don't even care enough to look for the rest. A state parks series would be dumb. A presidential series is dumb. I think that Reagan should be put on the dime, either that or liberty.

 

Return Lady Liberty to our coinage!

 

That's why. I don't want to be stuck with a half-completed collection ... or at this point, an 84% completed collection. Especially when they can be had for face value. I keep thinking, "If only my parents would have saved coins when they were children, then I could have all these silver coins now for cheap," (since I was born in the '80s). I don't want to be thinking the same thing of myself in 20 years.

 

And no, Reagan should not be put on the dime, we need to stop politicizing the portrayed design. It's impossible to get these OLD DEAD MEN off the coins now because no one wants to be the politician to say, "We should remove Washington/Lincoln/Roosevelt/Jefferson from the coins." How "un-American." I've said it before and I'll say it again, we need a president like TR who's willing to just go all-out and demand that the coins all be re-designed to actually be something artistic (and yes, I do realize that he was the one who got VDB to do Lincoln).

[Coin]

I say we put Logo s on the new quarters...you know from the government sponsors like , say , Exxon , Kellog,Brown & Root or just KBR , Halliburton , or any other major corporation that hasn't left our borders and taken their jobs with them and left Americans outta jobs which would provide for the use of such coins.

 

I'm not serious about all that above .

 

I would like to know why the state of Virginia 'owns' the nickel ....they pulled rank and forced Monticello back on the 5 cent piece because of an older legislation...so no new nickel, other than a change of pose angle for Jefferson . There are fifty states and a few territories versus one Virginia for the nickel .

 

It would be interesting to see a new dime.....maybe a little bigger and aluminum with something other than a president's head on it? I'd be happy with any artful rendering of Liberty .....maybe without the wings of free thought ....how about Liberty with a cloth tied around her eyes and her hands over her ears and tape over her mouth ?....no kidding again ....just Liberty in any artful pose would work.

 

It is time to write Senator Castle and reccomend a new design for the quarter but not a new series of states , how about making a list of our top 25 industries and make renderings of each , five per year for five years? Or just make one design and stick with it , so that children today will not look stupified at check-out registers and wonder if a coin is real or fake or just get to where they don't care as it changes so much they don't bother to see if a quarter is real or not any longer.

[WoodenJefferson]

The hand selected P & D, BU Statehood Quarters I was sending to my Grandson to put into the album that I got him were cerimoniously put into the coke machine at the local pool.

 

That was that!

 

Never again.

[Coin]

:o

[cpm9ball]

we go back to Washington on the obverse (that'll be pushing 100 years for when he got on) but a reverse of Washington crossing the Delaware ... so basically the New Jersey state quarter?

 

Maybe it should portray Washington attempting to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge and digging in his breeches for the $5 toll. In the background, a sign at a gas station reads, "Please submit your credit history before pumping."

 

Chris

[Jeff S]

Maybe make some new coins with REAL silver in them.But im sure they would be to small.

[CarlWohlforth]

I thought the old modern designs were getting, well, old. I like the state quarters program and enjoy looking through my change. I set aside the nicest example of each design I find.

 

Parks and historic locations are a good subject IMO.

 

Switching the designs to dimes is a good thought, but dimes are too small. Poor things. One would need a loupe to figure which park one was looking at.

 

Better idea: a big two dollar coin with parks and historic places. To get them to actually circulate the dollar bill must be eliminated.

[Coin]

Well , I tend to believe that we should go back to what I thought was a very good idea of NOT NOT NOT putting figure heads of power on our coinage like the European countries used to do and using representations of Liberty or other mythical figures or renderings.

 

I'm thinking that George Washington is getting kinda tired of rolling in his grave over his bust being the obverse of our present quarters since 1932. I mean , those bones can only roll so much before they completely turn to powder .

[EZ_E]

I say we put Logo s on the new quarters...you know from the government sponsors like , say , Exxon , Kellog,Brown & Root or just KBR , Halliburton , or any other major corporation that hasn't left our borders and taken their jobs with them and left Americans outta jobs which would provide for the use of such coins.

 

I would like to know why the state of Virginia 'owns' the nickel ...

 

Will Viagra get the design for Virginia?

 

P.S. CarlWohlforth. I haven't seen you in the neighborhood lately.

[cladking]

By the end of the states program there will be decidely fewer eagle reverse coins in circulation than others. Pre-'96 issues will be quite tough over XF and the '96-'98 will be getting pretty tough in nice AU.

 

In just a few years of the new program the oldest quarters will account for only about 40% of the quarters in circulation. The oldest ones are getting thin enough now that it's possible a few will start getting separated out. Mintages will likely plummet when the dollar coins get into circulation and the penny is eliminated. But this will last only a few years until mintages soar toward the end of the program. It's possible that in the last couple years that the old coins will start getting chased by the general public and could account for as few as 20% of the coins by the end. 30% may be more likely but a lot will depend on inflation levels and how extensively the dollar coin is used as all currency becomes less useful. The number of worn coins pulled out will be critical too. The oldest quarters will be more than 55 years old and they have a life expectancy of only 30 years so some will be gone. Attrition rates naturally go up as inflation ratchets higher.

 

The new coin itself probably isn't going to attract as much attention as the states coins. It will be old hat so demand will likely be about half. This implies mintages of about 180 million of each mint except as commercial demand fluctuates.

 

One thing seems certain; there will be far more fluctuation with this new series. Not only in mintages but in some unexpected parameters as well. There might even be a composition change. It will probably be a more interesting series to collect from the beginning but far fewer will.

 

I'd prefer to see a rendition of liberty on the quarter and then leave it alone.

 

It will be very interesting though to see how this all plays out.

[BECOKA]

I actually don't mind, this new series has potential. My Dansco album would not be as nice with the same design all the way through.