2012-S Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Quarter GEM SILVER PROOF America the Beautiful

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located southwest of Hilo on the southern shores of Hawaii Island (also known as the "Big Island").  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is well known for its active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea.  Mauna Loa is the world's largest volcano.  It is a shield volcano that since 1843 has erupted over 30 times.  Kilauea, also a shield volcano,  is considered the world's most active volcano erupting continuously since 1983.  Also in the park is is a rain forest that receives more than 100 inches of rain per year.  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has an area of 1,384 square kilometers.

From 2010 through 2021 the US Mint is issuing commemorative quarters with special reverse designs celebrating National Parks and other National Sites. A park or site is being honored in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the five US Territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands. Each National Park or National Site was selected for its natural or historical significance. The National Park Quarters are being minted and issued at the rate of 5 designs a year, in approximately ten week intervals. The National Park Quarters are being released in the order that the locations were first designated as National Sites. The Obverse side of the coins feature a smaller restoration of the original Washington Quarter portrait, modeled from designer John Flanagan's 1932 plaster. The Reverse of each coin will feature a representation of the unique character and environment of each State, District, or Territory's National Park or Historic Site.

Circulation strikes will be made at the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) mints. The San Francisco (S) mint will strike the Proofs in clad composition and silver. Clad composition strikes contain an outer layer of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to an inner core of pure copper with a 24.33 mm diameter, 5.67 grams weight, and a reeded edge. The silver strikes will contain 90% silver and 10% copper with a 24.33 mm diameter, 6.25 grams weight, and a reeded edge.