United States Mint, National Park Service Launch America the Beautiful Quarters® Coin Honoring Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio, April 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Mint and the National Park Service joined state and local officials in the village of Put-In-Bay today for the launch of the latest America the Beautiful Quarters coin, which honors Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.  The memorial is a tribute to Master Commandant Oliver Perry's decisive naval victory in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and celebrates the lasting peace among Britain, Canada, and the United States.

"Today we celebrate a national park that is small in acreage but significant in American history, a memorial to those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812, a piece of Ohio and American heritage in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty," said United States Mint Acting Associate Director for Sales and Marketing J. Marc Landry.  "It is easy to see why the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was chosen to be part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program."   

Landry and memorial Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky were joined by special guests U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur; Put-in-Bay Mayor Ruth Scarpelli; and President/General Manager Greg Peiffer of WPIB/WPCR radio, who served as master of ceremonies.  After the launch event, attendees exchanged their bills for $10 rolls of newly minted Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial quarters.  Landry also hosted a coin forum the evening of Friday, April 19, where local residents gathered to discuss U.S. coinage and learn about United States Mint coin programs and initiatives.

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial quarter is the 17th coin released in the United States Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters Program, authorized by Public Law 110-456.  Each year, the public will see five new quarters with reverse designs representing select national sites, with one final coin released in 2021.  The United States Mint will issue these quarters in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national site. 

The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial quarter was released into circulation April 1, 2013.  The same day, the United States Mint began accepting orders for collectible bags and rolls containing the new quarter.  For information about these products, or to place an order, please visit the United States Mint's online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792.  It became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873.  It 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 numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins.  The United States Mint's numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Information about the America the Beautiful Quarters Program is available at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/atb/.  
• Free lesson plans based on the America Beautiful Quarters Program are available at http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/.
• For additional information about Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, please visit http://www.nps.gov/pevi/index.htm.
• For information about the United States Mint, visit http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/.  
• To subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, visit http://www.usmint.gov/email/?action=newsletters.  
• Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

For more information:
Carolyn Fields, United States Mint
(202) 354-7222

Blanca Alvarez Stransky, Perry's Victory
and International Peace Memorial
(419) 285-2184

SOURCE United States Mint