2009 Quarter Design Images for District of Columbia and US Territories

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2009 Quarter Design Images for District of Columbia and US Territories The United States Mint today officially released the design images for new 2009 quarters honoring the District of Columbia and the five United States territories.

With a goal to assist in the selection of the most symbolic quarter design, dozens of quarter finalists were voted on earlier this year by residents in D.C., Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

"Like the 50 State Quarters® Program before it, these new quarters will encourage Americans to appreciate the unique history of the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  "While we focus on each one’s individuality, we also recognize the common thread that unites us all."

 

The six new quarters will enter circulating in approximately two-month intervals, with the D.C. quarter up first for a scheduled launch date of late January.

Each obverse ("heads" side) of the coin will depict the current George Washington image. The U.S. Mint statement announcing the designs provides the following descriptions for each quarter:

2009 District of Columbia Quarter DesignDistrict of Columbia

The coin’s reverse design features an image of celebrated musician Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington seated at a piano with the inscriptions, DUKE ELLINGTON and JUSTICE FOR ALL, the District’s official motto. 

The District of Columbia quarter reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

 

2009 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Quarter DesignCommonwealth of Puerto Rico

The second quarter depicts a sentry box in Old San Juan overlooking the sea with a hibiscus, Puerto Rico’s official flower. 

Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment) is also inscribed on the reverse. 

The Puerto Rico quarter reverse was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. 

 

2009 Guam Quarter DesignGuam

The third quarter of 2009, honoring the territory of Guam, includes an outline of the island of Guam, a latte stone-once used as building support in ancient Chamorro society-and a flying proa (a native boat). 

Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro (Guam, Land of the Chamorro) is also inscribed on the coin’s reverse. 

The Guam quarter reverse was designed by United States Mint AIP Associate Designer David Westwood and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

 

2009 American Samoa Quarter DesignAmerican Samoa

The reverse design features the ava bowl, whisk and staff used in special Samoan ceremonies. 

SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA (Samoa, God is First), the official motto of American Samoa, is inscribed on the reverse. 

The American Samoa quarter reverse was designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Stephen Clark and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.

 

2009 United States Virgin Islands Quarter DesignUnited States Virgin Islands

The reverse design features the three major islands that comprise the territory with a Banana Quit (the official bird), a Yellow Cedar (the official flower) and a Tyre Palm, a tree native to the United States Virgin Islands. 

United in Pride and Hope, the territory’s official motto, is also inscribed on the reverse. 

The United States Virgin Islands quarter reverse was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

 

2009 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Quarter DesignCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island

The reverse design features a latte stone on an island with a Carolinian canoe under sail in the lagoon. 

Two white Fairy Terns (native birds) are depicted in flight together overhead with a Carolinian Mwar (head lei) comprised of plumeria, langilang (ylang ylang), angagha (peacock flower) and teibwo (pacific basil), framing the design. 

The Northern Mariana Islands quarter reverse was designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

Designs for each quarter were submitted and recommended through a process determined by the Governors for the District of Columbia and each United States territories. The U.S. Mint reviewed the designs before each Governor recommended a final design based mostly on a resident voting with some using a committee selection process. Both the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts were involved in helping improve designs while the Department of the Treasury approved each.

More information may be read though the US Mint page, The District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program.

The Mint’s announcement of the latest quarter designs is perhaps a final reminder of the conclusion of the 50 State Quarters® Program, which kicked off in 1999 and lasted ten years with more than 34 billion quarters issued.

While not yet law, but expected to be within days with President Bush’s signature, a legislative bill authorizes a multi-year series of National Park quarters for each State, U.S. Territory and the District of Columbia to begin in 2010.

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Richard Hostert

Why havn’t the 2009 Washington D.C. mint mark P been released no bank in the Pittsburgh Pa. area have them.Is there a problem?

Richard Hostert

Thank you

mike

in what month will each quarter be released

JO Jimm

Who thinks the purto rico one is cool -_- LOL TO THE TOT

Johnny

When the 2009 Washington D.C.released.they should be release to every bank but I been ask so many bank and no one have it why? So far I only missing this one would you tell me wher can find it ?

Thank you very much!

Ella

i think that the puerto rico and the guam quarters are really cool. i think it’s cool that they even HAVE quarters for those six places listed above.

Arturo Trujillo

I have to say, that these coins that the mint has put out has made me thinking about studying about them. I am in the national GOB which is the national geography bee. Last year I got out becase they asked me what was on the back of the new South Dakota mint coin. I had no idea I realized that it was Mount Rushmore and there national bird. I have memorized them and I will be going to round 7 which I personally nevergot to I am very proud of it.
Thank You

khaled manasra

thanks alot and i love these quarter

Guadalahar Usgusmano

Wow is great quarter to see it in Puerto Rico beautious design in there ideas.

Angelika Griffin

I was wondering if anybody has seen any flawed 2009 D.C. quarters that have a satin finish and should not go into circulation. I have one and I am stunned, I never thought I would come across something that should be of more superior mint than the regular quarters that are made for circulation.

Virginia Cecchini

Can you please advise where I can purchase the 6 american territorial quarters – I need them to complete a set of quarters I have started. I need to know how much they cost because I need 7 of these sets. A reply from you would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Joanne

All the banks in my area in upstate NY do not carry any these quaters were can i order??? I also would like to know how to get the missing quaters I need for my collection the national parks to be up date