2013-S Maryland Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine National Park Quarter GEM BU America the Beautiful

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is located southeast of Baltimore's inner harbor adjacent to the Patapsco River. The park is the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, the United States' National Anthem.  Fort McHenry is a star shaped fort used in the War of 1812.  Over 1,000 Americans protected the fort in a fierce battle while the American flag waved on.  This inspired Francis Scott Key to write the anthem.   Fort McHenry was also used during the Civil War as a jail for war prisoners.  Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine has a total area of 43 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.