Semi-Numismatic

2016-S ATB Quarter Harper's Ferry Nat. Hist. Park Gem Proof

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Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this modern quarter dollar presents a striking visual tribute to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located in West Virginia. The reverse design features the historic supply armory, known famously as John Brown's Fort. During the nineteenth century, this location flourished as a prominent industrial center, but it is most remembered as the setting for the dramatic 1859 raid where John Brown attempted to arm enslaved people, an event now recognized as a critical catalyst leading to the American Civil War. The park itself received its official national designation in 1963. On the obverse side, the classic profile of George Washington is accompanied by the traditional inscriptions of liberty and trust. The reverse displays the name of the site alongside the state name of West Virginia and the year 2016. Produced as a gem proof, this coin showcases highly polished fields and frosted details that emphasize the intricate architectural lines of the historic armory building.