El Yunque National Forest Quarter
The third year of release for the series will begin with the 2012 El Yunque National Forest Quarter. This site was selected for the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. The series of circulation quarters features sites in all of the states, terrritories, and the District of Columbia in the order federally designated.
Prior to the announcement of the final design to be featured on the reverse of the coin, the United States Mint prepared and released several candidate designs for review and comment. Since the park is home to many plant and animal species not found anywhere else in the world, these elements are shown prominently in the designs. The final selection will be made by the Treasury Secretary.
The area which would become known as El Yunque National Forest was first set aside as a national reserve by King Alfonso of Spain, while the Puerto Rico was under his country's control. When Puerto Rico became an unincorporated territory of the United States, the area came under the jurisdiction of the National Forest System.
El Yunque National Forest Quarters will be issued for circulation as well as through collector coin and set offerings of the United States Mint. The release should take place during the first month of 2012.