Numismatic

2012-S ATB Quarter El Yunque National Forest Proof

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This 2012 quarter from the America the Beautiful series transports observers straight to the tropical canopy of El Yunque National Forest. Struck in San Francisco, this Gem Proof coin showcases a detailed reverse design featuring a Puerto Rican parrot nestled among dense jungle foliage, accompanied by a tiny Coqui tree frog. The inscriptions on this side include the name of the forest, the territory of Puerto Rico, the year 2012, and the traditional motto E Pluribus Unum. The history of this protected woodland stretches back to 1876, when King Alfonso XII of Spain first declared it a preserve. Decades later, on January 17, 1903, the United States established the area as the Luquillo Forest Reserve, paving the way for its modern identity as a cherished national forest. On the obverse, the familiar profile of George Washington faces left, based on the classic design by John Flanagan. Surrounding the first president's portrait are the essential inscriptions of United States of America, Liberty, In God We Trust, and Quarter Dollar, alongside the S mint mark signifying its origin at the San Francisco Mint.