Why the 2013 Fort Mchenry Quarter is a must-have

The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine quarter, released in 2013, marks the fourth coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program and the 19th overall. This commemorative quarter pays homage to Fort McHenry, a historic site with profound significance as the birthplace of our country’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.“ Named after James McHenry, the Nation’s second Secretary of War, the fort witnessed a pivotal moment in American history during the War of 1812. The historical narrative of Fort McHenry unfolds with its role in defending Baltimore against British forces in September 1814. The poet-lawyer Francis Scott Key, detained on an American truce ship in the Patapsco River, penned the inspiring verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner“ after witnessing the relentless bombardment. Moved by the sight of the American flag still flying over the fort the next morning, Key immortalized the resilience of the nation. Established as a national site on