2010 America the Beautiful Quarters®
Coin Overview
The Yellowstone National Park Quarter is the second coin of 2010 in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The reverse image depicts Old Faithful geyser alongside a mature bull bison in the foreground, designed through a consultative process with officials from the park. Inscriptions on the coin are YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
YELLOWSTONE Park Overview
As consistent as the eruptions of Old Faithful, tourists from around the world have come to Yellowstone National Park since it was established in 1872. They come during every season to experience the natural and wild beauty of this almost 3,500-square-mile treasure.
A diverse ecosystem located primarily in Wyoming, Yellowstone literally bubbles with excitement, showing off its collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs. With high-altitude lakes, rivers and waterfalls, soaring peaks and peaceful valleys, it’s no wonder the park is one of the most popular in the United States, drawing more than three million visitors every year.
People come to hike, fish, camp and observe the large variety of wildlife, some endangered, including grizzly bears and wolves and free-ranging herds of bison and elk.
Fast Facts
Fast Fact #1
Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers. An eruption lasts up to 5 minutes and shoots 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of boiling water up to 180 feet in the air. While less frequent, Steamboat Geyser can erupt to more than 300 feet.
Fast Fact #2
Gray wolves were reintroduced into the park between 1995 and 1997. By 2007, the founding colony of 41 had skyrocketed to 380. Other animals you may encounter in Yellowstone are bison, coyotes, black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep.
Fast Fact #3
Yellowstone contains approximately one-half of the world’s hydrothermal features. There are over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including over 300 geysers, in the park.
Fast Fact #4
Civil War General Philip Sheridan and his men sometimes used the burst of hot water and steam of the Old Faithful geyser to clean their clothes.
Fast Fact #5
A tireless advocate of the national parks system, President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for the north entrance arch named after him. Also buried there is a time capsule that includes local newspapers, a Bible and other items.
®2010 United States Mint