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Though some State quarter collectors may be sad to see the 10-year program nearing its Dec. 31, 2008, end date, they should be rejoicing because at least one new quarter dollar program is on the horizon and another series possibly following it.
Collectors are already talking about the 2009 circulating commemorative quarter dollar program featuring reverse designs honoring the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories – Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Though it might sound like one of those infomercials on television, we have to say, "but wait, there's more!"
Before Congress left town for its annual August recess, the House of Representatives approved legislation to honor national parks in every state, the District of Columbia and each territory with designs representative of each park on the reverse of quarter dollars to be issued starting in 2010.
The House bill, which is awaiting Senate action, calls for five coin designs to be issued each year for the next 11 years.
The House bill, if approved and signed into law by the president, would give the Treasury secretary the authority to decide during the ninth year of the program whether a second site would be selected for each state, territory and D.C. essentially extending the program for a second 11-year period.
Once the first (or second) round of the national parks program ends, the obverse design would return to the image of George Washington used in 1998 and the reverse would depict an image of Washington crossing the Delaware River prior to the battle of Trenton, New Jersey. That scene is depicted on the 1999 New Jersey State quarter dollar.
Imagine, there could be circulating commemorative quarter dollars to collect through 2032.
Two Senate versions of the national parks circulating coin bill are being considered, both similar to the House bill, but neither came to a vote before the August recess.
The presidential political conventions will be over by the time Congress returns to session in September. But the November elections will be on legislators' minds, so for right now it is anyone's guess what will happen with the national parks circulating commemorative legislation.
First Reports
Louis Russo of New York reported July 7 that his bank provided him with a roll of 2008-P Arizona quarter dollars.
David Damitz of Illinois reported July 8 that he received two 2008-D Arizona quarter dollars in change.
A.J. Rabinowitz of New Jersey reported July 8 that his bank provided him with two rolls of 2008-P Arizona quarter dollars.
Wayne Lee of West Virginia reported July 10 that he was able to get two rolls of 2008-P Arizona quarter dollars at a bank.
Lucas Ballou of Nebraska reported July 14 that his bank provided him with a 2008-D Arizona quarter dollar.
Carol Fournerat Steele of Louisiana reported July 15 that she found a 2008-D Arizona quarter in change.
Circulation Reports
We did not receive any reports this week.
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