The end is near…
What’s next for America’s Quarters?

Littleton has a wide variety of albums and folders to store these groundbreaking quarters!

I know there was a time when I didn’t feel the need to set aside a new quarter every few months. I just can’t, for the life of me, remember what that was like! In just a few months, we’ll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Statehood quarters’ debut. It’s been two decades since Caesar Rodney made his “midnight ride” across the reverse of the Delaware issue!

I remember the excitement as each new Statehood quarter was released. It seemed like everyone was on the lookout for them! This series rejuvenated the numismatic hobby, bringing in millions of new collectors. It was so popular, in fact, that six more coins were issued in 2009 to honor the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.

From states to scenic views

These popular coins were followed up by America’s National Park quarters. This series has been running since 2010, and right from the start was mandated to include D.C. and the territories. This 12-year series is currently planned to last into 2021.

And now, time is almost up! According to the original legislation, Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has until the end of 2018 to decide what happens next. He can authorize a second round of quarters that will honor a new set of parks and historic sites in the same order as the first. But according to Public Law 110-456, if that call is to be made, it needs to be done by the end of this year.

Could it be the end of changing quarter designs…

He could also choose to let America’s National Park quarters finish up in 2021. If that happens, under current law the quarter reverse will show Washington crossing the Delaware – similar to the design used on the 1999 New Jersey Statehood quarter. The obverse portrait of George Washington will revert back to the original image that debuted with the series in 1932.

…or the start of something new?

There is one other option that came out of the House in March 2018. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) introduced H.R. 5308 (titled the “Women’s History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act”). If adopted, it would authorize a new series of quarters, which would start in 2021 following the issue of the final National Park design.

This series would be especially timely, beginning near the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment – which, in 1920, granted women the right to vote. Released for the 50 states, D.C. and the U.S. Territories, each design would be released alphabetically (beginning with Alabama).

Unfortunately, the bill has yet to pass the House. That means it’s not likely to be approved in time for these coins to follow America’s National Park Quarters series.

We’d love to know what you would like to see happen next with our quarter. Please comment below! If you’d like to contact your representative about H.R. 5308, you can do so here.