2020 Salt River Bay Quarter: A Collector‘s Guide

Introduction

The 2020 Salt River Bay quarter is a modern issue that has captured the attention of collectors for its beautiful design and interesting varieties. Released as part of the United States Mint‘s America the Beautiful Quarters Program, this coin honors the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the 2020 Salt River Bay quarter from a collector‘s perspective, offering in-depth information on its design, history, varieties, and value. Whether you‘re a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, this article will provide you with the knowledge and resources to appreciate and pursue this fascinating coin.

The America the Beautiful Quarters Program

To fully understand the significance of the Salt River Bay quarter, it‘s helpful to know the context of the series in which it was issued. The America the Beautiful Quarters Program, which ran from 2010 to 2021, featured 56 unique designs showcasing national parks and sites from across the United States and its territories.

The program was authorized by the America‘s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008, with the goal of promoting public awareness of the nation‘s natural heritage and landmarks. Five new quarter designs were released each year, in the order in which the featured sites were first established as national sites.

The America the Beautiful Quarters Program followed the successful 50 State Quarters program, which ran from 1999 to 2008 and featured designs honoring each U.S. state. Like the state quarters, the America the Beautiful coins have proven popular with collectors, many of whom strive to assemble a complete 56-coin set.

The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, located on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was established in 1992 to protect both the natural environment and historical ruins in this unique area. The park encompasses approximately 1,015 acres, including upland watersheds, a mangrove forest, estuarine habitats, and a submarine canyon.

One of the most notable features of Salt River Bay is its extensive mangrove forest, which provides a nursery habitat for various marine species and birds. The red mangrove, depicted on the quarter‘s reverse design, is particularly important to the ecosystem.

In addition to its ecological significance, Salt River Bay also holds a prominent place in history. The area contains the only known site where members of Christopher Columbus‘s expedition set foot on what is now U.S. territory. In 1493, a small party from Columbus‘s fleet came ashore to fill water casks and engaged in a skirmish with the indigenous Carib people, the first documented conflict between Europeans and Native Americans in the New World.

The park also contains the remains of Fort Salé, an earthen fort built by the Dutch in the 1600s to control access to the salt ponds at the bay‘s edge. Salt production was a major industry on St. Croix for centuries.

With its combination of natural beauty and historical importance, Salt River Bay was a fitting choice for inclusion in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The coin serves as a reminder of the diverse and significant sites that make up America‘s heritage.

2020 Salt River Bay Quarter Design

The 2020 Salt River Bay quarter features a striking design by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Richard Masters, sculpted by Medallic Artist Joseph Menna. The obverse depicts a restored 1932 portrait of George Washington by sculptor John Flanagan, used on the quarter since 1998.

The reverse showcases a red mangrove tree growing in the tropical waters of Salt River Bay. The design artfully depicts the tree in several stages of its life cycle, from a young sapling to a mature tree with prop roots extending into the water. This choice emphasizes the ecological importance of the mangrove forest to the park‘s diverse habitats and wildlife.

The coin‘s inscriptions include "SALT RIVER BAY," "U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS," "2020," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on the reverse, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "QUARTER DOLLAR" on the obverse.

Numismatic scholar Walter Breen, in his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, praised the America the Beautiful quarter designs for their "remarkable artistry" and the program‘s educational value. The Salt River Bay issue is a prime example, celebrating an important but perhaps lesser-known U.S. site with a beautiful and symbolic image.

Mintages and Varieties

The 2020 Salt River Bay quarter was produced at three mints: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The Philadelphia and Denver facilities produced the coins for circulation, while the San Francisco mint struck clad proof and silver proof coins for collectors. Below are the final mintage figures:

2020-P Salt River Bay: 306,000,000
2020-D Salt River Bay: 251,600,000
2020-S Salt River Bay Clad Proof: 1,154,282
2020-S Salt River Bay Silver Proof: 567,871

In addition to these regular issues, there are several notable varieties that have attracted collector interest:

West Point "W" Mint Mark

The U.S. Mint struck 2 million Salt River Bay quarters at the West Point Mint with a "W" mint mark on the obverse. These were randomly mixed into circulation, creating a "treasure hunt" effect for collectors. The 2020-W Salt River Bay quarter is the second rarest issue in the series after the 2020-W Tallgrass Prairie quarter.

"V75" Privy Mark

Some of the West Point quarters feature a small "V75" privy mark to the right of Washington‘s neck. This indicates their inclusion in a special set issued for the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Only 17,400 Salt River Bay quarters with the "V75" privy mark were produced, making them the scarcest variety.

Colorized Uncirculated

The U.S. Mint offered a limited-edition colorized uncirculated version of the Salt River Bay quarter, with the mangrove tree design enhanced with red and green hues. These were sold individually in cards, with a mintage of 20,000.

Die Varieties and Errors

Collectors of modern U.S. coins often seek out die varieties and errors, which can significantly increase a coin‘s value and desirability. While the 2020 Salt River Bay quarter has not yielded any major errors thus far, there are a few notable die varieties:

Doubled Die Obverse

A doubled die obverse (DDO) variety has been identified for the 2020-P Salt River Bay quarter. Doubling is visible on the letters of "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," as well as on Washington‘s hair and the date. This variety is not yet widely known and may become more valuable as collector interest grows.

Leaf Vein Anomaly

Some 2020-D Salt River Bay quarters exhibit a die gouge on one of the mangrove leaves, creating the appearance of an extra vein. This variety, nicknamed the "Mangrove Vein," is not especially rare but is popular with collectors who enjoy the novelty of a distinctive die mark.

Market Values

As a recent issue, most 2020 Salt River Bay quarters have not yet accumulated significant premiums over face value. However, certain varieties and high-grade examples can command substantial prices. Below is a table of approximate market values for notable Salt River Bay quarter varieties in different grades:

Variety	MS63	MS65	MS67	MS68
2020-P	Face	$1	$20	$150
2020-D	Face	$1	$20	$150
2020-W	$15	$30	$100	$250
2020-W V75	N/A	$200	$500	$3,000
2020-S Clad Proof	N/A	$5	$10	$25
2020-S Silver Proof	N/A	$30	$50	$100

Note that these values are approximate and may fluctuate based on market conditions and collector demand. Coins graded by PCGS or NGC will typically command higher premiums than raw or ungraded examples.

The most valuable Salt River Bay quarters are the 2020-W issues with the "V75" privy mark, especially in the highest grades. A PCGS MS68 example sold for over $4,000 in a 2021 auction. Even circulated "V75" quarters can be worth $50 or more.

The regular 2020-W Salt River Bay quarter is also a key issue for the series, with prices ranging from around $15 for a circulated example up to $250 or more for a high-grade uncirculated coin.

Tips for Collecting

If you‘re interested in collecting 2020 Salt River Bay quarters, here are some tips to guide your pursuit:

Decide on your collecting goals. Do you want a single example for a type set, or are you looking to assemble a complete set of all varieties and mint marks? Knowing your objective will help you budget and prioritize your purchases.
Look for circulated examples of the 2020-P and 2020-D coins in your pocket change. While you‘re unlikely to find a "W" mint mark coin by chance, it‘s worth checking.
Purchase uncirculated and proof examples from reputable dealers or online marketplaces. Stick to sellers with strong feedback and a history of dealing in modern U.S. coins.
Consider buying certified coins for the scarcer varieties like the "V75" and high-grade "W" mint mark issues. The peace of mind of a PCGS or NGC holder is often worth the premium, especially for more valuable coins.
Be patient in your search for rare varieties and errors. Many collectors are still holding onto these coins, so prices may soften in the future as more examples enter the market.
Store your Salt River Bay quarters properly to maintain their condition. Use non-PVC flips, albums, or capsules to protect your coins from damage and environmental exposure.

Conclusion

The 2020 Salt River Bay quarter is a fascinating modern issue that combines stunning natural beauty with rich historical significance. As part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, it represents a unique and important site within the U.S. Virgin Islands and the broader tapestry of American heritage sites.

For collectors, the Salt River Bay quarter offers a range of opportunities, from circulated examples for a type set to rare and valuable varieties like the "V75" privy mark. By understanding the coin‘s background, design, and market, you can build a meaningful collection that showcases this distinctive piece of numismatic art.

Whether you‘re a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, the 2020 Salt River Bay quarter is a coin worth exploring. Its place in the America the Beautiful series and its commemoration of a vital ecological and historical site make it a noteworthy modern issue. Happy collecting!

References

United States Mint. (2020). America the Beautiful Quarters® Program: Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/america-the-beautiful-quarters/salt-river-bay-national-historical-park-and-ecological-preserve-usvi
National Park Service. (2022). Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. https://www.nps.gov/sari/index.htm
Breen, W. (1988). Walter Breen‘s Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. Doubleday.
PCGS CoinFacts. (2023). 2020-W 25C Salt River Bay National Park V75 Privy. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/2020-w-25c-salt-river-bay-national-park-v75-privy/789258
NGCcoin.com. (2023). 2020 W Salt River Bay Quarter. https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/united-states/quarters/2020-W-salt-river-bay-quarter-1068-c-4013.aspx