2012-P Acadia National Park Quarter : A Collector’s Guide
By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The 2012-P Acadia National Park Quarter was the third America the Beautiful (ATB) Quarter released in the third year of that program and the 13th ATB quarter overall. The reverse design honors the historic coastal park and features an image of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse sculpted by future United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna. This quarter dollar was struck at the Philadelphia and Denver mints for release into circulation. Special Proof versions were produced at San Francisco in .900 silver and copper-nickel clad and sold to collectors as part of that year’s Proof Set offerings. In addition, the San Francisco Mint produced circulation-quality coins that were sold directly to collectors at a premium.
Business-strike 2012-P Acadia National Park Quarters feature a small P mintmark underneath the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the bottom right of the coin’s obverse.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located in the state of Maine and managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The park preserves much of Mount Desert Island and its coastline, as well as some adjacent islands, including portions of the Schoodic Peninsula on Maine’s continental mainland. The park was established in 1919, becoming the first national park east of the Mississippi River.
Acadia comprises 48,419 acres (19,603 hectares) and is home to many plants and animals unique to the region. The tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast, Cadillac Mountain at 1,530 feet (466 meters), can be seen from much of the park. In addition to the wildlife, Acadia features beaches, sand dunes, woodlands, and lakes. There are over 120 miles (193 km) of hiking trails within the park. It also offers ranger-led programs throughout the year, as well as a variety of special events. Other activities include camping, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and boating.
Acadia is a popular tourist destination for visitors from across the United States and abroad, welcoming over three million people each year. In addition to its natural features, the park also contains a number of historic structures, including Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Sieur de Monts Spring (the site of Acadia’s first settlement), and Bear Brook.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
The 2012-P Acadia National Park America the Beautiful Quarter circulates today among the billions of recent mintage quarters produced for commercial purposes by the United States Mint. There is no collector premium for examples in average circulated condition. However, sellers offer the 2012-P Acadia quarter with a small retail markup on sites like eBay, where it is not unusual to see examples sell for $1 to $2. Unopened $10 rolls in official U.S. Mint packaging sell for about $25 each.
The terminal point for this issue is MS67. CoinWeek estimates the value of an MS67 to be approximately $60; MS68 coins have sold for $300 or more.
The PCGS and NGC top-pop population has remained unchanged since at least August 2024.
Top Population: PCGS MS68 (1, 3/2025), NGC MS68 (4, 3/2025), and CACG N/A (3/2025).
- PCGS MS68 #41907633: GreatCollections, March 28, 2021, Lot 966008 – View. Finest known at PCGS, probably record price. Gold Shield holder.
- NGC MS68 #3676167-001: “The Centurion Collection,” GreatCollections, June 10, 2018, Lot 582551 – View; GreatCollections, January 6, 2019, Lot 655667 – View.
- PCGS MS67 #26758980: GreatCollections, November 8, 2020, Lot 901176 – View.
- PCGS MS67 #41907632: GreatCollections, March 28, 2021, Lot 966009 – View. Gold Shield holder.
- NGC MS66 #4518522-003: eBay, February 17, 2024 – $14.90.
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Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 2012 |
| Denomination: | Quarter Dollar (USD) |
| Mintmark: | P (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 24,800,000 |
| Alloy: | .750 copper, .250 nickel outer layer bonded onto a pure copper center |
| Weight: | 5.67 g |
| Diameter: | 24.30 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | John Flanagan | William Cousins |
| REV Designer: | Joseph Menna |
| Quality: | Business Strike |
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The post 2012-P Acadia National Park Quarter : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
1. **Comment for the image:** The detail on the Bass Harbor Lighthouse is quite striking, especially considering its size on the quarter.
2. **Comment for the article section about the coin’s release and specs:** A good overview of the coin’s place within the America the Beautiful series. It’s helpful to see the mintages and variations laid out like this.
3. **Comment for the section on Acadia National Park:** I hadn’t realized Cadillac Mountain was the tallest peak on the Atlantic coast! Makes this quarter even more special for those of us who have visited.
4. **Comment for the Market Data section:** While not a particularly valuable coin in circulated grades, it’s impressive to see what the top-pop examples have fetched. Proof that condition is king!
5. **Comment for the Coin Specifications table:** The inclusion of the designer’s names adds a nice touch. It connects the coin to the artistry behind it.