New York America the Beautiful Quarter

The New York America the Beautiful Quarter will represent the fifth and final release of the series for the year 2015, and the thirtieth release of the series overall. The site chosen to be depicted on the reverse of the quarter is Saratoga National Historical Park.

Originally, the governor and a Senator of New York sought to depict Niagara Falls on New York’s quarter. The United States Mint did not follow their recommendation, stating the Niagara Falls was a state park. In order to be eligible for selection in the America the Beautiful Quarter series, areas must be under the management, conservatorship, or protection of a federal entity.

The design for the Saratoga National Historical Park Quarter will be developed by the United States Mint in coordination with officials from the host jurisdiction, the Department of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The Treasury Secretary has authority for the final selection.

About Saratoga National Historical Park

The federal government incorporated Saratoga National Historical Park into the national parks system in 1938. When this decision was made by Congress, they ensured that an important area and battlefield from the American Revolutionary War would remain unspoiled so that future generations could reflect on its significance.

Originally, the area was recognized as a New York State historic preserve in 1927, as it marks the spot where, in 1777, American forces were met with the much better equipped British army in a heated battle. Although the Americans were merely revolutionary colonists, they managed to defeat the British forces on that battlefield, successfully forcing the British officers to surrender as a result.

This key victory won the American troops the respect of the French government, which officially recognized them as an independent nation and became allies of the American army. Saratoga National Historical Park contains many monuments and historic houses where visitors can imagine what it must have felt like to be a soldier on that momentous day.  Artifacts from the battlefields are also on display in the park’s unique museum.