2012-S Puerto Rico El Yunque National Park Quarter GEM PROOF America the Beautiful

El Yunque National Forest is located on the northeastern end of the island of Puerto Rico.  El Yunque National Forest is the United States' only tropical rain forest.  The name El Yunque comes from "Yuke" which means "white lands" and refers to the cloud covered mountain tops of the Luquillo mountain range located in the park. The Taino Indians of Puerto Rico considered this mountain range sacred. Taino petroglyphs are sprinkled throughout the range.  El Yunque National Forest is one of the smallest forests in the National Forest System however it is also one of the most biologically diverse. Over 1 million people visit the forest per for its scenic roadways and natural trails.  El Yunque National Park has an area of 28,002 acres.

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.