The America the Beautiful coin series started in 2010 and over the years has become a much anticipated US Mint collection. The US Mint releases 5 new coins into the series each year. Each coins represents a unique National Park or Monument in each US State.

Each new release is minted into two different finishes. The mass produced finish is the bullion version. The smaller mintage finish is the burnished, brilliant uncirculated.

This SKU is the burnished version. These can be distinguished by the matte finish, as well as the "P" mint mark on the reverse of the image. This signified they were minted at the Philadelphia mint. Also, exclusive to the burnished version is their presentation. They are shipped in hard plastic, air-tite cases and laid inside a protect US Mint box (see photo above).

Here's a chance to pick up a great collectible still inside original US Mint packaging!

Effigy Mounds National Monument was established in 1949. The park protects one of the largest remaining concentrations of ancient American Indian earthworks in the United States. It is considered a sacred landscape by members of many modern-day tribes whose ancestors once lived here.

The majority of the mounds were constructed between one thousand and two thousand years ago — often to inter the dead, but sometimes for ceremonial purposes, or to tell important stories.

The park is home to more than 200 mounds in a wide variety of forms, including more than 30 animal or bird-shaped “effigy” mounds for which the park is named. Often more than 100 feet long individually, many of these animal and bird shaped mounds are perched high atop rugged bluffs overlooking the adjacent Mississippi River. Aside from preserving these tangible links to an ancient and highly creative people, the park features outstanding views of the Mississippi River Valley, and hosts many of the native plant and animal communities that sustained people in this area for millennia.