A Field Day for National Park Collectors

WASHINGTON – Pssst…philatelists, numismatists, parkies – you know who you are. National Park Week has good things in store for you.

If it’s the cha-ching of change or shiny, new things that capture you, check out the first coin in the America the Beautiful QuartersTM series, released in Arkansas. Hot Springs National Park graces this stunning quarter and blazes a beautiful trail for a Yellowstone National Park quarter in June, Yosemite National Park in July, and Grand Canyon National Park in September. You can purchase the coins from the United States Mint at http://www.usmint.gov/ .

Prefer your paraphernalia gummed and perforated? The Grandest Things: Our National Parks in Words, Images, and Stamps made its debut when Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Postmaster General John E. Potter, and National Park Service Deputy Director Dan Wenk unveiled it at the Smithsonian’s Postal Museum. The 116-page hardcover book, produced by the U.S. Postal Service and the National Park Service is unique in its inclusion of both famous parks and smaller gems – plus, it includes nine mint stamps—including the 1972 Old Faithful, Yellowstone.

And, if all this isn’t enough to throw your collecting instinct into primal-overdrive – the United States Postal Service revealed Scenic American Landscapes premium stamped postcards in a first-day-of-issue-ceremony. The set of 20 stamped cards showcases 10 spectacular national park photographs originally featured on Scenic American Landscapes stamps issued over the past decade.

The Grandest Things and the Scenic American Landscapes postcards are available now at http://www.stampproducts.com/parksbook/  and soon at select national park bookstores.

Jon Jarvis, National Park Service Director said, “For people who love their parks or love collecting, these commemoratives will bring memories of fun times with family and friends; for those who are just learning about their national parks, this book, the postcards, and series of quarters is a great way to get acquainted. I hope everyone will discover a new national park this National Park Week.”

In honor of National Park Week (www.nps.gov/npweek ), entrance is free at national parks from April 17-25, 2010.