Hobbies And Interests
State Quarters
The State Quarters Program ran from 1999 until 2008. Each state is represented with a unique commemorative reverse. Five state quarters were released each year with an additional six released in 2009 representing U.S. territories. These coins are very common and available in bulk from banks. Sifting through several bags of coins can often result in a complete set of state quarters.
America the Beautiful Quarters
The U.S. Mint's sequel to the State Quarters Program is the America the Beautiful Quarters program. Starting in 2010, the mint is releasing five new America the Beautiful quarters per year honoring American national parks and other national sites. The program will run for more than 11 years until 56 America the Beautiful quarters have been released. There will be one for each American state and territory. Banks will get a steady supply of these new quarters throughout the program.
Presidential $1 Coins
The Presidential $1 Coin Program honors all American presidents. The program began in 2007. Each year, four U.S. presidents are honored on the obverse of a golden dollar coin. The coins are released in chronological order starting with George Washington. The program will continue until all deceased U.S. presidents are represented. According to the U.S. Mint, no living people are allowed to appear on U.S. coinage. Since $1 coins are rarely seen in circulation, banks are one of the few places where you will find them.
Native American $1 Coins
The Native American $1 Coin Program runs concurrently with the Presidential $1 Coin Program. Each year the U.S. Mint creates a single $1 coin design with Sacagawea on the obverse and a different Native American theme on the reverse. The U.S. Mint says the law requires at least 20 percent of all dollar coins to be made with the Native American theme. These coins are rarely used in commerce, so one of the few places you can get them is at a bank.
Lincoln One Cent Coins
In 2009, the U.S. Mint started making commemorative Lincoln one cent coins to mark the 100 year anniversary of the Lincoln cent. That year, they produced four different reverse designs representing different periods of Lincoln's life. In 2010, a union shield appeared on the reverse. A different design will appear on the reverse of the Lincoln cent every year. While these coins are very common, the best place to find high quality examples are at a bank.
Kennedy Half Dollars
The U.S. Mint started making Kennedy half dollars in 1964, shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy. They are still made every year but are rarely seen in circulation. One of the only places you can get Kennedy half dollars is at a bank. They are so scarce that you often must order them through a bank from the Federal Reserve.