By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program debuted on the heels of the 50 State Quarters and their adjunct District of Columbia and Territories Program.
Authorized by Public Law 110–456, the America the Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 called for the “issuance of redesigned quarters dollars emblematic of national parks or other national sites in each state, the District of Columbia, and each territory”.
Similar to the issuance order of the 50 State Quarters Program, America the Beautiful National Parks quarters are issued one per state, based on the order in which the selected site were first established as a National Park.
The America the Beautiful quarter honoring Saratoga is the fifth design released in 2015. The coin marks the surrender of British General John Burgoyne.
General Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1777, sent shockwaves through Britain and Europe. When word of the defeat reached the French king Louis XVI, he instructed his court to negotiate an alliance with the Americans. In February 1778, France declared war on England, giving the colonies much needed economic and military support.
* * *
2015-P Saratoga America the Beautiful Quarter Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Top Population: PCGS MS68 (2, 4/2025), NGC MS68 (22, 4/2025), and CAC None Graded (4/2025).
- NGC MS67: eBay, April 18, 2025 – $29.95. Buy It Now.
* * *
Design
Obverse:
A modern reworking of John Flanagan’s Washington Quarter design. Washington’s left-facing bust sits in the center of the coin. Flanagan’s initials JF are visible in the bust truncation. Wrapping around the top of the coin is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To Washington’s left is the inscription LIBERTY; to his right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The coin’s denomination wraps around the bottom of the coin, written as QUARTER DOLLAR.
Reverse:
Inside the frame is the depiction of the surrender of British General John Burgoyne to Continental Army General Horatio Gates. The scene is derived from John Trumbull’s famous work of 1821. On the left, is Burgoyne’s extended right arm, sheathed sword in hand. To the right, is Gates outstretched rim arm as it reaches to accept the sword. At the bottom right of the design, in italic script is the inscription BRITISH SURRENDER 1777. The artists’ initials appear at the bottom of the design–BF (designer Barbara Fox) on the sword’s sheath, and RG (engraver Renata Gordon) on the right–underneath the date “1777”.
A thick semi-circular frame wraps around the coin. At the top of the frame appears the word SARATOGA. At the eight o’clock position is the inscription NEW YORK. At the five o’clock position is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. At the bottom is the date 2015.
Edge:
The edge of the 2015-P Saratoga America the Beautiful Quarter is reeded.
Designers
American sculptor John Flanagan’s work in the medallic and metal arts ranks him as one of the best artists of his generation. For generations of coin collectors, he is best known for his Washington Quarter design (View Designer’s Profile).
Barbara Fox is a fine artist and graphic designer that joined the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) in 2011 (View Designer’s Profile).
Mint artist Renata Gordon joined the engraving department in 2011 (View Designer’s Profile).
2015-P Saratoga America the Beautiful Quarter Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 2015 |
| Denomination: | Quarter Dollar (25 Cents USD) |
| Mintmark: | P (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 223,000,000 |
| Alloy: | .9169 copper, .0833 nickel |
| Weight: | 5.67 g |
| Diameter: | 24.26 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | John Flanagan |
| REV Designer: | Barbara Fox (design) | Renata Gordon (sculpt) |
| Quality: | Uncirculated |
* * *
