While I’m not a true coin collector, it was impossible to ignore the release of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter ceremony today at Salmon Junior-Senior High School. The quarter, the 50th in the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful series, pays homage to the pristine 2.3-million acre wilderness area that features the wild and rushing Salmon River, national forests, steep canyons and mountains, and a large variety of wildlife. It was later named for Frank Church, the Idaho senator who fought to have the wilderness area protected.

The gymnasium was packed with students from throughout the county and members of the community who, like me, wanted to be part of this event. Children younger than 18 were given a quarter while everyone else could exchange $10 for a roll of the new coins.

Watch for these coins in your change. You can carry a two bits of “The Frank” with you.