Numismatic

2017-S ATB Quarter Effigy Mounds Monument BU (Enhanced Finish)

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This intriguing twenty-five cent piece from 2017 highlights a remarkable sacred landscape in Iowa. Part of the America the Beautiful series, the coin features a specialized enhanced uncirculated finish from the San Francisco Mint, denoted by the S mint mark. The reverse design presents a striking overhead view of the Marching Bear Group, representing some of the many earthworks preserved at the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Established in 1949, this protected area contains more than 200 prehistoric mounds built between 1,000 and 2,000 years ago, which served ceremonial, burial, and narrative purposes for ancient cultures. On the obverse, the coin displays the familiar portrait of George Washington, accompanied by the traditional inscriptions of liberty and national trust. The reverse side clearly displays the name of the monument, the state of Iowa, the year 2017, and the classic Latin motto signifying unity. This coin offers a fascinating glimpse into early American monumental architecture and the enduring legacy of the region's original inhabitants.