The White Mountain National Forest Quarter began the fourth year of release for the new quarter dollar series featuring National Parks or sites from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. The coins were first released into general circulation on January 28, 2013.
The site was selected to represent the state of New Hampshire. Prior to the start of the America the Beautiful Quarters series, the entire register of sites for the program had been selected and announced. This was required under the authorizing legislation.
Depicted on the reverse design of the White Mountain Quarter is Mount Chocorua, the easternmost peak of the Sandwich Range, framed by birch trees. This was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The inscriptions around the outer portion of the coin read “White Mountain”, “New Hampshire”, “2013”, and “E Pluribus Unum”. Other design candidates had included alternative depictions of the peak, or some of the wildlife associated with the area. On the obverse of the coin is the 1932 portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan.
The United States Mint produced 68.8 million and 131.6 million circulating quality examples of the White Mountain National Forest Quarters at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, respectively. In addition to release for circulation, the coins were also offered within a variety of numismatic products including mint sewn bags, rolls, annual sets, and program issued sets. The design was also used for a five ounce silver bullion and collector coin.
About White Mountains National Forest
The White Mountains of New Hampshire have provided homes and jobs for many different types of people throughout the history of this country. Native Americans built their villages, travel ways, sacred grounds, hunting areas and camps among their craggy peaks. Early American settlers found places for their towns, farms, buildings, factories and recreation sites in their shadow. Now visitors to the White Mountain National Forest, which was established in 1918, can relive the significance of these diverse cultures that first called these mountains home.
Since the establishment of the National Forest, archaeologists have found over twenty confirmed prehistoric sites of early Native American inhabitants. Testing has indicated that Paleo-Indians were living at the base of the White Mountains’ northern slope as early as ten thousand years ago. It would not be until the mid seventeenth century that early European settlers would begin to explore the uncharted slopes and peaks of the White Mountains.
Visitors to the White Mountain National Forest are encouraged to visit the variety of historical houses and cultural sites that include the traces of past inhabitants.