Birmingham author on U.S. quarters praises choice of Tuskegee Airmen featured on Alabama coin

It took 10 years to unveil Alabama’s quarter as part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Program, but its selection of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is a “terrific choice” according to Jim Noles, Birmingham author  of  “A Pocketful of History”  stories behind the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program.

Earlier this week, the United States Mint unveiled the official designs  for the final six coins in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The design for the sixth and final coin in the program, which began in 2010, will honor the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.  The release date for the Alabama quarter is 2021.

Great Pick

Noles, who is a local Birmingham attorney and author of numerous books was impressed by Alabama’s choice of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.

“The Tuskegee Airmen was a terrific selection by Alabama for the America the Beautiful program,” said Noles through a correspondence with Bham Now about the new quarter.  “It respects our World War II veterans (whose numbers grow smaller every day), gives a nod to Alabama’s (still growing) role in aviation history, and honors brave Civil Rights pioneers.  Alabama’s quarter for the State Quarters series, back in 2003, honored Helen Keller.  That was a great pick; so is this one.”

Visit the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

Established a decade ago, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is part of a network of National Park  units around the historic town of Tuskegee. Along with the Airmen Museum, there is also  the George Washington Carver Museum on the Tuskegee University campus.