HARPERS FERRY QUARTER LAUNCHED

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V19 2016 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 19, Number 24, June 12, 2016, Article 25

Sadly, I was unable to attend this week's launch ceremony for the new Harpers Ferry quarter, a short drive away in Harpers Ferry, WV (June 8, 2016). Luckily some E-Sylum readers were in attendance at one of the largest such events held to date. First, an excerpt from the US. Mint press release. -Editor

2016-atb-quarters-coin-harpers-ferry-west-virginia-uncirculated-reverse

The United States Mint (Mint) joined the National Park Service (NPS) today to officially launch the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

The coin's reverse design features John Brown's Fort, the site of John Brown's last stand during his raid on the Harpers Ferry Armory.

"This new coin serves as a reminder that at a river-crossing established long before our country's struggle for independence, in a West Virginia town that played an integral role in our nation's Civil War, a diverse number of people and events came together to influence the course of our common history," said William Norton, United States Mint Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Basketball Olympic Gold Medalist Vicky Bullett served as master of ceremonies for the event held at Lower Town located within the site. Additional participants included United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Thomas Hipschen, the coin's designer; NPS Regional Director Bob Vogel; Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Superintendent Rebecca Harriett; Keith McIntosh on behalf of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III; Chris Strovel on behalf of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito; and Dr. Steve Smoot on behalf of U.S. Representative Alex Mooney.

The ceremony culminated in the Mint's customary coin exchange in which the public traded their cash for $10 rolls of newly minted Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarters. The Mint also hosted a coin forum the evening before the launch ceremony, where local residents gathered to express their views about future coinage and learn about upcoming Mint coin programs and initiatives.

These events are a great feature of the Mint's publicity campaign. How cool is it to meet in person with the coin's designers? How much would you give to go back in time for a similar event in 1907, 1836 or 1796?

Pat McBride and Tom Uram of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists drove down for the day. Here are some photos they shared; "we were taking pictures like a bunch of Japanese tourists..." -Editor

I went to the forum the Mint held the day before the launch. They had set up a tent on the green adjacent to Shenandoah Ave. in the lower part of the town. I would hazard a guess somewhere between 75 and 100 folks showed up, which is not bad at all for a Tuesday evening.

The Mint's legislative director, Bill Norton, answered many of the audience members' questions regarding future possible coin series, the fate (if any) of the one cent coin, and what is role is as essentially the Mint's liaison to Congress. A native of Paw Paw, WV, he made mention of other design candidates, to include Seneca Rocks and New River, but was pleased that Harper's Ferry was ultimately selected by the CCAC.

The first 10 minutes or so were interrupted by a CSX coal train rumbling through - there is an active railroad line that runs right through the lower town - and he was amused by that. All in all, it was a worthwhile experience and I am glad I made that detour on my way home from work.

The pre-evening was a Q&A only by Bill Norton. No Coin sales. The launch day sales were rolls (10 roll limit) and the 2 coin (P&D Mints) sets in the trifold, no bags as was reported earlier.

There were 400 kids in attendance. The overall crowd was reported by many to be the largest of any of the previous launch ceremonies.

The day started out beautiful. There was a slight interruption when a train came through. Then next was a drenching rainfall that lasted about 20 minutes then blue skies and sunshine as the program moved to the release phase.

A beautiful part of the country. I picked up some of the history lessons that I missed in school. It was also great to see the enthusiasm for the new quarter. Also great to see Tom Hipschen, the designer. Obviously when we at CCAC review the designs we have no idea of who the artists are; it's great to see them after the process.

Many people commented that this was one of the largest attended quarter launch ceremonies. It was also great to see how many young people attended. It was a great day of programs and entertainment provided by the National Park Service as well as the United States Mint.