COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United States Mint and National Park Service officials celebrated the release of the Glacier National Park quarter today — three days before the start of National Park Week.  The reverse (tails side) design of the new quarter depicts a classic view of the northeast slope of Mount Reynolds towering in the distance, while a mountain goat clamors over the rocky slopes of the park's high country.

"The Glacier National Park quarter will connect America to the wonder, grandeur and beauty of one of the Nation's most awe-inspiring natural treasures," said United States Mint Associate Director for Sales and Marketing B. B. Craig.    

Craig shared the spotlight at Columbia Falls High School with Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright.  Following the ceremony, attendees exchanged their currency for rolls of the Glacier National Park quarter.  Children 18 years of age and younger received a free quarter to commemorate the event.  A public coin form was held on April 12 at 5 p.m. at the Glacier National Park Community Building at park headquarters in West Glacier.  

The Glacier National Park quarter is the seventh coin in the United States Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters Program.  The new quarter was released to the Federal Reserve Bank on April 4.  At noon Eastern Time the same day, the United States Mint began offering collectible bags and rolls containing the Glacier National Park quarter at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog and 1-800 USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  More information about products featuring the Glacier National Park quarter is available at the Web site.

Glacier National Park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice age of 10,000 years ago.  Glacial forces, ancient seas, geologic faults and uplifting all combined to create some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.  Known to the Blackfeet as the "Backbone of the World," Glacier National Park preserves more than one million acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rugged peaks and glacially carved valleys in the Northern Rocky Mountains.  These lands were first set aside as a national reserve on February 22, 1897 (29 Stat. 907).

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.

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SOURCE United States Mint