Quarter Image Design Finalists for District of Columbia and United States Territories

United States Mint artist drawings of the final quarter design candidates of Washington, D.C. and U.S. Territories — Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands — are available for viewing.

The District of Columbia and each U.S. Territory provided to the U.S. Mint two to three design narratives that embodied their territory and people. From these narratives, the Mint created artist renderings/drawings.

Using these, a final design could be selected by the local government and people — usually through voting — and given to the Mint as the one to use for the creation of the quarters. The six quarters are a part of the District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program, and will be issued in the year 2009.

Images of original quarter design finalists

Whenever possible, CoinNews relayed local government announcements and voting for each quarter design. In those cases, articles are provided for reference following the quarter images.

Washington D.C. Quarter Designs

Washington DC Quarter Designs

CoinNews article discussing D.C. quarter designs:

  • DC Quarter Designs Include Motto: “Taxation Without Representation”
    2009 will see six new quarter-dollar coins in the District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program. Development of the coin designs are already in motion. And with that, it would appear to some that the District of Columbia would like to rock the boat or at least shake it a little.

  • U.S. Mint Rejects D.C. Quarter Design Inscription, “Taxation Without Representation”
    A blazing fast turnaround is not what you expect from the government, but that is exactly what the District of Columbia received. D.C. city officials forwarded three commemorative quarter design proposals on Monday and on Wednesday, less than two full days later, the U.S. Mint promptly rejected them.

  • Washington DC Quarter Design Images Released…
    Artist renderings of three District of Columbia commemorative quarter designs have been prepared by the United States Mint and sent back to D.C. for review. Now the public is being asked to vote for their favorite and help select the final quarter theme.

  • D.C. Quarter Design of Duke Ellington Wins
    District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty announced Thursday the winning Washington, D.C. quarter design featuring historical jazz legend, Duke Ellington. The Mayor officially communicated the selection to United States Mint Director Edmund Moy.

Guam Quarter Designs

Guam Commemorative Quarter Finalist Designs

CoinNews article discussing Guam quarter designs:

  • Guam Quarter Designs Ready…
    Artist renderings of Guam commemorative quarter designs have been prepared by the United States Mint and sent back for review. And just as Guam residents were asked to help create the designs, they were asked once again by Governor Felix P. Camacho to cast their vote for a favorite.

  • DC Quarter Designs Include Motto: “Taxation Without Representation”
    Public voting ended Saturday for Guam’s commemorative quarter set for release in 2009. Just as Guam residents were asked to help create the quarter designs, they were asked once again by Governor Felix P. Camacho to vote for their favorite.

American Samoa Quarter Designs

American Samoa Commemorative Quarter Finalist Designs

CoinNews article discussing designs:

  • American Samoa Quarter Designs Ready for Final Reviews…
    Three American Samoa commemorative quarter finalist designs have been prepared by the United States Mint and will now receive their final reviews in Washington DC from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and, today, by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC).

Virgin Islands Quarter Designs

Artist renderings of Virgin Islands commemorative quarter designs

CoinNews article discussing Virgin Islands quarter designs:

  • Virgin Islands Commemorative Quarter Designs
    Artist renderings of three Virgin Islands commemorative quarter designs have been prepared by the United States Mint and sent back to the Office of the Governor for review. U.S. Virgin Island residents can vote for their favorite design online or by mail-in ballot. Voting ends Friday, June 13.

  • V.I. Beauty Quarter Design Wins Virgin Island Commemorative Coin Vote
    The official announcement is in… V.I. Beauty wins the commemorative quarter design contest. It’s been selected by residents and Governor. John P. deJongh, Jr. to represent the Virgin Islands. Public voting for three designs ended Friday, June 13. “V.I. Beauty” received 6,882 votes. The “First in Freedom” and “Three Queens” designs garnered 4,553 and 1,887 votes respectively.

Puerto Rico Quarter Designs

Puerto Rico Commemorative Quarter Finalist Designs

Information from the Puerto Rico government regarding their quarter designs was not found.


Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Designs

Northern Mariana Islands Commemorative Quarter Finalist Designs

Information from the Northern Mariana Islands government regarding their quarter designs was not found.

Quarter release schedule for 2009

No exact dates have been set for the commemorative quarter releases in 2009, but they will launch in the following order and at equal intervals:

  • District of Columbia
  • The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
  • Guam
  • American Samoa
  • The United States Virgin Islands
  • The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

More information regarding these quarters, including the design process, may be read though the US Mint page, The District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program.