This set features all five of the 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters® in proof quality, protectively encased in a clear plastic lens and newly designed packaging. United States Mint proof coins feature sharp relief and a mirror-like background. Their frosted, sculpted foregrounds give them a special cameo effect. Proof blanks are specially treated, polished and cleaned to ensure high quality strikes. The blanks are then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure sharp relief. The coins are then packaged in a protective lens to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish.
The 2014 edition of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set features the fifth annual release of five quarters in the America the Beautiful Quarters®Program.
Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads side) with the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, restored to bring out subtle details and the beauty of the original model. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR.
The 2014 reverse (tails) of these coins honor the sites below with the following designs:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee:
- This design depicts a historic log cabin found within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It features a segment of the lush green forest and hawk circling above. Inscriptions are GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
- Shenandoah National Park in Virginia:
- This design depicts a day hiker taking in the view from Little Stony Man summit. Inscriptions areSHENANDOAH, VIRGINIA, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
- Arches National Park in Utah:
- This design depicts Delicate Arch, a 65-foot freestanding natural arch. It is a widely recognizable landmark in Utah and the most famous arch found in the park. It has been depicted on postage stamps and license plates. The Olympic torch relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through this arch. The La Sal Mountains are visible in the background. Inscriptions are ARCHES, UTAH, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado:
- This design features a father and son playing in the sand next to the creek bed. The distinctive mountains and sand dunes are featured in the background. Inscriptions are GREAT SAND DUNES, COLORADO, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
- Everglades National Park in Florida:
- This reverse design, inspired by the bird population in the Everglades, features an anhinga with outstretched wings on a willow tree with a roseate spoonbill visible in the mid-ground. Both birds are found throughout the Everglades National Park. Inscriptions are EVERGLADES, FLORIDA, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
