17th in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program
The 2013 Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial Quarter features both the memorial column in the background and a statue of Commodore Perry in the foreground. Perry's victory in the battle was a key moment in the War of 1812, because it allowed the Americans to control Lake Erie and its access to Detroit to the west and Buffalo to the east. Perry's ship flew a legendary flag bearing the slogan, "Dont give up the ship." The centerpiece is a column that is 352 feet high and is the tallest Doric column in the world.
How can you make something better than the 50 State Quarter Program? Here's how!
There were many reasons for the success of the State Quarter program in 1999. The top two - the design (each state had their own theme) and the limited production, they were each only being struck for less than 11 weeks. In 2010, it got better. Taking a page from the success referenced above, the US Mint will be issuing a New Series: "The America the Beautiful Quarters(tm)." But this one will have a twist. There will be one quarter per state, just like the 50 State Program, but the design will be based on one of the National Parks located in each state. The order will be based on when they were introduced as a National Treasure.
But the kicker is distribution. Unlike the 50 State Quarter program, where Congress forced the Mint to distribute the quarters to the local markets (and even then many of us didn't see but a few of the releases) this new program does NOT have to be released into the same flow of commerce. What does that mean? Well in 2009 the Mint released 6 special quarters for the six US Protectorate Territories... adding them to the 50 State Quarter Program. Have you seen them in circulation? And if so, more than a couple? There is the new distribution system... very limited.
This is the Denver Minted, uncirculated platinum plated quarter. It will be encapsulated to protect its condition.
