The 2010 Mount Hood America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coin is the final of five 2010-dated releases of a new series of collector grade .999 fine silver coins. This strike honors Mount Hood National Forest of Oregon with a design on its reverse.
Sales of the Mount Hood Silver Uncirculated Coin began on July 28, 2011 with a maximum mintage of just 27,000. This was the same mintage seen for the other four 2010-dated strikes of the series. However, unlike those previous strikes, sales of the Mount Hood Coin were relatively slow. A sell-out did not occur for months finally being indicated on January 11, 2012.
These strikes are the numismatic versions of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program. Both series of coins feature similar obverse and reverse designs to those found on the circulating America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, also from the Mint. Accordingly, a portrait of George Washington, as designed by John Flanagan, is featured on the obverse of each coin.
The reverse of the strikes in all three programs feature designs emblematic of selected sites of national interest from around the United States. A total of fifty-six locations will be honored at a rate of five per year before the programs are completed in 2021. One site was selected from each state, the District of Columbia and the five US Territories. The release order of the strikes is dictated by the order in which the sites came under the direct control of the federal government.
To represent Mount Hood National Forest, an image showing the massive volcanic mountain of Mount Hood is shown in the background with Lost Lake in the foreground on these silver uncirculated coins, along with the sister bullion coins and the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program releases. A portion of the large forest is shown surrounding the lake. The design was completed by United States Mint Sculptor / Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
Each strike in this series of coins will be composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver, just like the similar bullion coin. The coins will also showcase edge inscribed lettering showing the coin’s weight and fineness of .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE and be struck to a diameter of three inches. The edge inscription and the diameter are based on requirements placed on the bullion versions of the coin by the authorizing legislation (America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008). Subsequent legislation may adjust those requirements, however, which would most likely be applied to these uncirculated coins as well.
Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon
Mount Hood National Forest is named after a volcanic mountain found within its borders known as Mount Hood. The mountain was named after British Admiral Samuel Hood on October 29, 1792 by Lt. William Broughton while on an expedition in the area.
The forest was originally a part of the Bull Run Forest Preserve created in 1892. It was then merged with Cascade National Forest in 1908, but renamed to Mount Hood National Forest in 1924.
The forest receives over 4 million annual visitors, owing in large part to its proximity to the large population base of Portland, Oregon. The city is less than a hours drive from the forest. Those that do visit undertake a multitude of activities within its one million plus acres. Some of the more popular activities include camping, fishing, hiking, boating and skiing.
Of interest, it is estimated that approximately 1/3 of the trees within the forest are considered old growth