2018-S Rhode Island Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Quarter GEM BU America the Beautiful

The Block Island National Wildlife refuge was established in 1973. It began with the transfer of 28 acres from the U.S. Coast Guard and has grown to 127 acres. It's purpose is to provide an important habitat for wildlife, mostly songbirds which inhabit the area in the fall. The island is located in the Atlantic flyway and many young songbirds overfly their southern trip and use the island as a sanctuary before continuing their trip. As a result, the island is one of the most important habitats on the east Coast for migratory birds and attracts birders from all over the world. The island is a popular stop for the black-crowned night heron and the coin depicts the bird flying over a cove with a lighthouse in the background.

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 (starting in 2012 circulation strikes were also minted at the Philadelphia (P) Mint). The Philadelphia (P) mint will strike the BUs 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.