Obverse:
- Features George Washington’s portrait within the template used for the prior 50 State Quarters and DC & US Territories Quarters Programs. Details of the original portrait have been restored.
- Portrait originally designed by John Flanagan.
Reverse:
- Representation of Grand Canyon National Park with a view of the granaries above the Nankoweap Delta in Marble Canyon near the Colorado River.
- Designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
Coin Details:
- The fourth release of the inaugural year for the America the Beautiful Quarter series. The National Parks and sites are presented in the order that each originally came under federal management or conservancy.
- Circulation strike coins and special satin finish coins will be produced at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Proof and silver proof versions will be produced at the San Francisco Mint for issuance in special collector sets.
- The standard composition consists of outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper. The silver proof coins have a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.
Where to Find:
- The Grand Canyon America the Beautiful Quarters will be issued for general circulation, with the expected release date on September 20, 2010.
- The United States Mint will begin sales of 100-coin bags and two roll sets on or around the same date.
- US Mint sales of proof, silver proof, and satin finish versions within collector sets will begin at various dates during the year.
History:
- The new quarter series was authorized by Public Law 110-456 America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. The new series followed the success of the prior 50 State Quarters Program.
- The selection of Grand Canyon National Park to be depicted for the state of Arizona was revealed on September 9, 2009. On this date the US Mint announced the full site register and America the Beautiful Quarters release schedule.
- The final designs for all five 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters were unveiled by the US Mint during a special ceremony held on March 24, 2010 at the Newseum in Washington, DC.