ATB Block Island

The ATB Block Island Wildlife Refuge bullion is the final 2018 release in the America the Beautiful series.

Dealers: Call the trading room at 800.375.4653. QUANTITIES LIMITED.

The Block Island coin is the forty-fifth release from the program of America the Beautiful Quarters by the United States Mint. The Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Quarter is one of only two quarters honoring a wildlife refuge. (The 2015 Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge quarter for Delaware is the other.)

The reverse of the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarter features a black-crowned night-heron flying over a view from the beach at Cow Cove looking towards Sandy Point. In the distance, you can we the North Lighthouse in the background. This design was created by AIP Designer Chris Costello and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

Twelve proposed designs were developed by the U.S. Mint in consultation with representatives of Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Treasury Secretary selected the final design after consultation wit the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

As with all the other ATB Quarters, the obverse displays the John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington that is found on circulating quarters.

The pair of obverse and reverse designs will also appear on a series of U.S. Mint bullion and collector 3-inch diameter, 5-ounce America the Beautiful silver coins.

The other 2018 quarters honor:

• Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
• Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park
• Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore

The America the Beautiful 5 oz. Silver Quarter Series began in 2010 to commemorate national parks, monuments, and historical sites. Five new coins are released each year. The 5 ounce silver bullion coins are enlargements of the same designs depicted on the quarters that are in normal circulation. One site has been selected from each state, the District of Columbia and each of the five U.S. Territories — for the combined 56 locations honored between 2010 and 2021.

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge

In 1973, Block Island National Wildlife Refuge of Rhode Island was established from 28 acres of land transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the refuge is more than quadruple that size – consisting of 134 acres.

The island hosts ore than 70 species of migratory songbirds who pass through the are each fall. In addition the refuge is home other non-migratory creatures including Rhode Island’s largest gull colony.

More info: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/block_island/