Illinois America the Beautiful Quarter

The Illinois America the Beautiful Quarter will be the first release of 2016 for the program created to feature unique designs for National Parks and sites in each of the states and territories of America.The Shawnee National Forest was chosen to be depicted on the quarter.

The obverse of the quarter will feature a portrait of George Washington, restored with original details that were used on the original 1932 Washington Quarter designed by John Flanagan. The reverse of the quarter will feature a depiction or representation of Shawnee National Forest.

The United States Mint typically prepares three to five design candidates for the reverse design on an established template. These designs are reviewed by various bodies, who provide their comments and recommendations. The United States Mint makes an official recommendation to the Secretary of the Treasury, who has the authority to make the final decision. This design process will likely take place during 2015 for the Shawnee National Forest Quarter.

About Shawnee National Forest

Although Illinois is one of the largest states in the United States in terms of land mass, it ranks forty eighth in the amount of land that has been set aside for preservation of natural resources and recreation areas. This makes the Shawnee National Forest a treasured area in the minds of most Illinois residents. For those that are looking to slow down, relax and reconnect with the wildness of nature, Shawnee National Forest acts as an oasis in their state.

Although friends and advocates of a federally protected forest area in Illinois had tried once before, it was not until September of 1939 that the Shawnee National Forest was officially recognized as a public wilderness area. Now the national forest contains not one, but seven congressionally designated wilderness areas which include six rivers that are candidates for the Wild and Scenic designation as well as four National Natural Landmarks.

Visitors to the park are mostly residents of urban and suburban Illinois that are looking for places to camp, hike, ride horses and enjoy the waterways of untouched Illinois landscape. Supporters of the forest are dedicated to keeping it preserved for human recreation as well as scientific research and the promotion of sustainable practices.