For those who don't know, some wags have been using the name "Chicken McNuggets Quarter" to poke a little fun at the 2017 Effigy Mounds ATB quarter. I had seen it in proof, but until yesterday, I hadn't seen it in the hand in the business strike. It sure is, umm, different. It is a difficult thing to render - low relief mounds covered in grass, but I must compliment the Mint artists. The work in believably rendering grass is remarkable. The relief is of course exaggerated. It pretty much has to be. Keep an eye out for this one. It's the most unusual ATB quarter yet. Apologies for the crappy phone photo. I really have to get one of those closeup diopters. Another quick side note: I'm running into mint-fresh 2017-D nickels all over the place. People! This is Pennsylvania!!! Is nothing sacred?!?!
Oh, from what I've seen, the NEXT quarter in the ATB series, the Ozark-something, has the potential to be absolutely GORGEOUS. The proof sure is! The rendering of the flowing water is nothing short of genius.
I agree it is quite an interesting design. Since it's release I have gotten around two rolls in change. Sure wish some of those 2017 Philly's would show up in Denver.
When fresh Denver minted coins start showing up this near to Philly, something's strange. It could be a rolling jobber's error, or it could speak to a Philly production problem. Worth keeping an eye on.
Oh, if anyone starts examining the background trees on the Effigy Mounds quarters with a microscope and comes up with some "extra branch on tree #4 variety" or some such, you simply have to not let me know where you are. I may feel compelled to come tear off your arm and beat you with the wet end. Have a nice day.
I haven't see the Ozark Proof quarter in-hand. But IMO the art looks great -- really like it. Hopefully the fine details will look even better on the larger 5oz ATB.
When you hold the proof in your hand (or the whole 5-coin quarter set as the case may be), the water on the Ozark one almost seems to shimmer just from the vibration of your hands (at least my stroke affected ones). The effect is downright spooky.
The quarter after Effigy Mounds is Frederick Douglas and has already been introduced. I don't have either one of them.
Hang in there, they're coming. I didn't mention the Douglas one because the design is kinda "meh". Nothing particularly wrong with it, but a pretty straightforward design. Both the Effigy and the Ozark will be or are breaking some new ground design-wise.
