1/4 Dollar 'Washington Quarter' Yosemite, California

Historical Context: The 2010 Yosemite National Park quarter is a significant issue within the United States Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters Program, launched in 2010. This initiative honored fifty-six national parks and sites across the U.S. and its territories. The Yosemite quarter, representing California, was the second coin released in 2010, celebrating the natural grandeur and ecological importance of one of America's most iconic national parks, retaining George Washington's portrait on its obverse.

Artistry: The obverse retains John Flanagan's classic neoclassical bust of George Washington, originally from 1932. The reverse showcases a distinct naturalistic and representational style. Designed by Don Everhart and sculpted by Joseph Menna, it masterfully depicts El Capitan, the massive granite monolith dominating Yosemite Valley. Above this iconic feature, a California condor soars, symbolizing the park's diverse wildlife and conservation. The composition effectively conveys the scale and majesty of Yosemite's landscape, typical of modern commemorative coinage.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a copper-nickel clad copper planchet, this coin typically exhibits a strong strike. Key high-points for grading include Washington's hair and ear on the obverse. On the reverse, collectors should examine the clarity of the condor's feathers, the sharpness of El Capitan's rock formations, particularly its summit, and the distinct separation of trees at its base. Well-struck examples will show crisp lettering and minimal bag marks, common on mass-produced coinage.