New America the Beautiful Quarters Products

The US Mint has just announced three new products for the America the Beautiful Quarters series. The new products will be available for subscription orders starting May 19, but the release dates have not yet been specified.

The new offerings are the following:

America the Beautiful Quarters Three Coin Set - This set includes one uncirculated coin each from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints and one proof coin form the San Francisco Mint. These sets will be created for each quarter and are priced at $13.95 each. It is not specified, but I would anticipate that the uncirculated coins are the satin finish versions found in Mint Sets.

America the Beautiful Quarters Uncirculated Coin Set - This set will include five uncirculated coins each from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, for a total of ten coins. The sets will be released annually and are priced at $21.95. Once again, I would anticipate this set includes satin finish coins.

America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set - The set includes five "circulating-quality" coins each from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, for a total of ten coins. The sets will be released annually and are priced at $9.95 each.

I was hoping that the US Mint would create some unique collectibles for the new series, but these sets are pretty disappointing. The first two sets contain coins that will be issued in full annual sets, reordered into smaller sets and offered at higher component prices. The third set contains circulation strike coins at a high mark up to face value.

Rather than simply rearranging coins that were offered elsewhere into "new offerings," the US Mint could have offered coins with a unique origin or attribution like the First Day Coin Covers. This product type, which will not be offered for America the Beautiful Quarters, typically contained coins sourced from the first day of production. The quarters were placed in covers that were post marked with the circulation release date from a relevant location.

Or the US Mint could have created products which put the coins into a more unique context, like the now canceled Presidential Dollar Historical Signature Sets. There is surely plenty of historical background, photos, and information for each of the National Parks and sites depicted on the quarters.

Or the Mint could have done something unique working with the National Park Service in conjunction with the launch ceremonies.

Or they could have done something incorporating both the quarters and the 5 oz silver bullion coins...

Hopefully, the Mint has something else up their sleeve besides these three sets.