2020-S Kansas Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve National Park Quarter in GEM SILVER PROOF America the Beautiful

The Kansas Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects the remaining tallgrass ecosystem in the United States. At one time, tallgrass prairies covered over 400,000 square miles of North America. Now, less the four (4 %) percent of the tallgrass remains, primarily in Kansas. The reserve is located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas and includes a limestone barn, a one room school house and an 1881 ranch house. Grazing and fire are two important factors for maintaining the ecosystem. Plants are grazed to stimulate growth which in turn triggers biological activity and nutrient exchanges. Fire, is nature’s way for starting over. Visitors can enjoy educational and living history programs that provide information and experiences of the 1800’s. One can learn about costumes, lunches, class work and participate in activities such as churning butter, making lye soap and quilting. The reserve was established in 1996 and is 10,861 acres in size.

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 San Francisco (S) Mint). 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 99.90% silver and .10% copper with a 24.33 mm diameter, 6.25 grams weight, and a reeded edge.