2012-S New Mexico Chaco Culture National Park Quarter GEM BU America the Beautiful

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington.  Chaco Culture National Park, located in Chaco Canyon, was an important Anasazi (ancient Native American) cultural center from around 900 through 1130 AD.  The area contains 13 major ruins as well as over 300 smaller archaeological sites. Some structures are thought to have served as astronomical observatories or calendars.  The Chacoan people where master builders utilizing architectural designing, landscaping, and engineering to build this ancient urban center.  The Hopi and Pueblo people consider this site scared. Chaco Culture National Historical Park has an area of 33,977 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.