Today April 2, 2012, the United States Mint began sales of numismatic bags and rolls for the 2012 Chaco Culture National Historical Park Quarter. This represents the twelfth overall release for the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The reverse design of the Chaco Culture Quarter features a view to the west of two elevated kivas that are part of the Chetro Ketl Complex, the north wall of the Chetro Ketl, and the north wall of the canyon. This was designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.

This was the design that had been recommended by the CFA, indicating that it best conveyed the vastness of the setting and the Native American construction that has given cultural significance. The CCAC did not make a recommendation with one member commenting that it was a “difficult subject” to convey on a coin. It was also mentioned that none of the designers had actually visited the site.

The US Mint is offering two roll sets of the Chaco Culture Quarters, which include one 40 coin roll from the Philadelphia Mint and one 40 coin roll from the Denver Mint. As in the past, the rolls have special wrappers which indicate the release, mint mark, and face value of the contents. Each two roll set is priced at $32.95.

Also available are 100-coin bags from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint. These mint sewn canvas bags include labels indicating the release and mint mark of the coins, with the face value printed on the bag. Each bag is priced at $34.95.

The Chaco Culture Quarter bags and rolls are expected to remain available for one year from the initial product release date.

The numismatic bags and rolls for the seventh release of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program featuring Olympic National Park still remain available for sale. These went on sale April 4, 2011 with an indication that the products would remain available for sale for one year. As such, sales should be concluding on Wednesday.

Other News

The US Mint recently added listings for the Chester Arthur Presidential Dollar 250-coin boxes and 500-coin boxes to the product schedule. These will be released on April 5, 2012, the same date that sales of the 25-coin rolls are scheduled to begin.

The US Mint had previously indicated that these larger quantity boxes would go on sale at some future date after the start of sales for the rolls. Offering the rolls and boxes for sale on the same date is a welcome development. If collectors want to purchase the coins in quantity, they won’t have to pay the higher premiums attached to the rolls.

Another interesting bit of information is available for the 2012 Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Set, which is scheduled for release on May 1, 2012. The US Mint has set a product limit of 100,000 for the sets. This is the first time that a limit has been established for this product type. Sales for the comparable 2011-dated set have reached 64,423 to date.

On the world coin news front, the Perth Mint has released a number of interesting new products today, including a new Year of the Dragon Set and a kilo sized proof Silver Koala limited to 500. You can find more information at World Mint News Blog.

The US Mint will begin sales of numismatic bags and rolls of the Gettysburg National Military Park Quarters today, January 27, 2011 at 12:00 Noon ET. These products contain circulating quality coins that are packaged in US Mint branded wrappers or canvas bags.

The Gettysburg National Military Park Quarter is the sixth release of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The reverse design shows the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument, located at the battle line of the Union Army at Cemetery Ridge. The obverse features John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington with the original details restored.

The US Mint offers 100-coin bags from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint, or a two roll set containing one 40-coin roll from each facility. Packaging for each product includes the name “Gettysburg National Military Park”, the state abbreviation “PA”, the mint mark, and face value of the contents. The Gettysburg Quarter bags and rolls are expected to be available for one year after the product release date.

The bags containing a face value of $25 worth of quarters are priced at $49.95 each, and the two roll sets containing a face value of $20 are priced at $39.95 each. Orders are also subject to an additional shipping and handling charge of $4.95.

This pricing represents a significant increase from the levels of last year’s comparable products. Throughout last year, the 100-coin bags of quarters were priced at $35.95 each and the two roll quarter sets were $32.95. Considering the difficulty many collectors are having finding the America the Beautiful Quarters at banks or from circulation, the increased pricing seems opportunistic.

Starting in 2010, the US Mint also removed a bulk option that was available to collectors and replaced it with a super bulk option that is only feasible for larger coin dealers and mass marketers. The US Mint used to offer 1,000-coin bags, containing $250 face value worth of quarters, priced at $309.95 each. In June 2010, the US Mint introduced the America the Beautiful Quarters Bulk Purchase Program. Orders could be placed for bulk bags containing 200,000 coins, with a face value of $50,000. The cost would be $51,500 plus pick up by a licensed carrier must be arranged.

Last year, sales of the America the Beautiful Quarters bags and rolls were relatively strong. The first available Hot Springs Quarter products have sold about 46,000 two roll sets and about 9,000 of each 100-coin bag.

Following the price increases, I think more collectors of the series will start evaluating other options. This might include calling more banks until quarters can be located at face value, buying on the secondary market where rolls can be found $15 or less, or getting together with a group to purchase and split up a bulk bag.