District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarters

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DC and US Territories quarter
United States
Value0.25 U.S. Dollar
Mass6.25(Ag); 5.67 (Cu-Ni) g
Diameter24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness1.75 mm (0.069 in)
Edge119 reeds
Composition91.67% Cu 8.33% Ni (standard)
90% Ag 10% Cu (proof only)
Years of minting2009
Mint marks P, D, S (proof only)
Obverse
2006 Quarter Proof.png
Design George Washington
Designer John Flanagan (1932 version) from a 1786 bust by Houdon / William Cousins (modification to Flanagan's design)
Design date1999
Reverse
2009 NMI Proof.png
Designvarious; six designs
Designervarious
Design date2009

The District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program was a one-year coin program of the United States Mint that saw quarters being minted in 2009 [1] to honor the District of Columbia and the unincorporated United States insular areas of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The islands commonly grouped together as the United States Minor Outlying Islands were not featured, as the law defined the word "territory" as being limited to the areas mentioned above. [2] It followed the completion of the 50 State Quarters program. The coins used the same George Washington obverse as with the quarters of the previous 10 years. The reverse of the quarters featured a design selected by the Mint depicting the federal district and each territory. Unlike on the 50 State quarters, the motto "E Pluribus Unum" preceded and was the same size as the mint date on the reverse.

United States Mint Produces circulating coinage for the United States

The United States Mint is a unit of the Department of Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. It does not produce paper money; that responsibility belongs to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Mint was created in Philadelphia in 1792, and soon joined by other centers, whose coins were identified by their own mint marks. There are currently four active coin-producing mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point.

Quarter (United States coin) United States coin

The quarter, short for quarter dollar, is a United States coin worth 25 cents, one-fourth of a dollar. It has a diameter of .955 inch (24.26 mm) and a thickness of .069 inch (1.75 mm). The coin sports the profile of George Washington on its obverse, and its reverse design has changed frequently. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831.

Puerto Rico Unincorporated territory of the United States

Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and briefly called Porto Rico, is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida.

Contents

Legislation

A 2003 letter from Virginia Congressman Ed Schrock answering a constituent's query about the proposed program 2009 quarters letter.jpg
A 2003 letter from Virginia Congressman Ed Schrock answering a constituent's query about the proposed program

Although the statehood program was, by legislation, originally intended to include only the 50 states, legislation (District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act) was signed into law in late 2007 to include the remaining jurisdictions of the nation. A bill had been introduced five times in the United States Congress to extend the 50 State Quarters program an additional year to include the District of Columbia; the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands; and the U.S. territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. During the 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses, these bills had passed through the House of Representatives, and even had 34 Senate sponsors for the Senate bill during the 108th; however, none of these bills were passed by the Senate. H.R. 3885, the version in the 109th Congress, passed the House by voice vote in the early hours of December 9, 2006, just before it adjourned sine die ; but the Senate adjourned sine die shortly thereafter without considering the bill. The 110th Congress version of the bill, H.R. 392 was introduced on January 10, 2007 by the Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and was passed by the House of Representatives on January 23, 2007.

Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body or the process of making it. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill, and may be broadly referred to as "legislation", while it remains under consideration to distinguish it from other business. Legislation can have many purposes: to regulate, to authorize, to outlaw, to provide (funds), to sanction, to grant, to declare or to restrict. It may be contrasted with a non-legislative act which is adopted by an executive or administrative body under the authority of a legislative act or for implementing a legislative act.

United States Congress Legislature of the United States

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, and consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 representatives and 100 senators. The House of Representatives has six non-voting members representing Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia in addition to its 435 voting members. Although they cannot vote in the full house, these members can address the house, sit and vote in congressional committees, and introduce legislation.

106th United States Congress 1999-2001 U.S. Congress

The One Hundred Sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1999, to January 3, 2001, during the last two years of Bill Clinton's presidency. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the Twenty-first Census of the United States in 1990. Both chambers had a Republican majority.

On December 10, 2007, Puerto Rico-born Rep. José Serrano, D-NY, attached H.R. 392's language to the Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 2764) that the House passed. [3] The bill passed in the Senate on September 6; President George W. Bush signed the bill on December 26. The additional six coins to be minted in 2009 were expected to generate renewed interest in the series, generate over $400 million in additional revenue to the Treasury, and lead many publishers to produce new products to accommodate the additional six coins. H.R. 2764 also moved the "In God We Trust" from the edge to the obverse or reverse of the Presidential $1 Coin Program. [3] [4]

In God We Trust official motto of the United States

"In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States of America, Nicaragua, and of the U.S. state of Florida. It was adopted as the United States' motto in 1956 as a replacement of or alternative to the unofficial motto of E pluribus unum, which was adopted when the Great Seal of the United States was created and adopted in 1782.

Presidential $1 Coin Program

The Presidential $1 Coin Program was the release by the United States Mint of $1 coins with engravings of relief portraits of U.S. presidents on the obverse and the Statue of Liberty on the reverse.

The 1997 act that authorized the statehood quarter program had originally provided that if the federal district, or any of the territories or commonwealths, became states before 2009, that new state would get a quarter. [5]

Designs

rowspan="2"|Federal district
or Territory 		rowspan="2"|Release date
(territory date)		colspan="3"|Mintage [6] class="unsortable" rowspan="2"|Design class="unsortable" rowspan="2"|Elements depicted rowspan="2"|Engraver
Denver Philadelphia Total
Flag of Washington, D.C..svg  District of Columbia January 26, 2009 [7]
(July 16, 1790)		88,800,000 83,600,000 172,400,000 2009 DC Proof.png Duke Ellington seated at a grand piano.
Caption: "Duke Ellington" and "Justice for all" 		Don Everhart
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico March 30, 2009 [8]
(December 10, 1898)		86,000,000 53,200,000 139,200,000 2009 PR Proof.png A sentry box at Castillo San Felipe del Morro and a maga flower. [9]
Caption: "Isla del Encanto" (Island of enchantment) 		Joseph F. Menna
Flag of Guam.svg  Guam May 26, 2009 [10]
(December 10, 1898)		42,600,000 45,000,000 87,600,000 2009 GU Proof.png An outline of the island, a proa boat, and a latte stone.
Caption: "Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro" (Guam, land of the Chamorro) 		Jim Licaretz
Flag of American Samoa.svg  American Samoa July 27, 2009 [11]
(April 17, 1900)		39,600,000 42,600,000 82,200,000 2009 AS Proof.png An ava bowl, whisk and staff in the foreground with a coconut tree on the shore in the background.
Caption: "Samoa Muamua le Atua" (Samoa, God is first) 		Charles L. Vickers
Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg  U.S. Virgin Islands September 28, 2009 [12]
(March 31, 1917)		41,000,000 41,000,000 82,000,000 2009 USVI Proof.png An outline of the three major islands, the bananaquit, the yellow cedar or yellow elder, and a tyre palm tree.
Caption: "United in Pride and Hope" 		Joseph F. Menna
Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands November 30, 2009 [13]
(March 24, 1976)		37,600,000 35,200,000 72,800,000 2009 NMI Proof.png Near the shore stand a large limestone latte, a canoe of the indigenous Carolinians, two white fairy terns, and a mwar (head lei). Phebe Hemphill

Additional notes on individual designs

District of Columbia

On February 1, 2008, Adrian M. Fenty, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, established a committee whose purpose was to advise the Mayor on the development of a reverse side design concept for the 2009 District of Columbia commemorative quarter dollar coin that would be representative of the District. The committee would solicit and collect public input on the design concept and would compile the input into two or three narratives describing concepts for the coin. The committee would then submit the narratives to the United States Mint in accordance with the schedule that the Mint had prescribed. [14] [15]

Adrian Fenty sixth mayor of the District of Columbia

Adrian Malik Fenty is an American politician who served as the sixth mayor of the District of Columbia. He served one term, from 2007 to 2011, losing his bid for reelection at the primary level to Democrat Vincent C. Gray. Though Fenty won the Republican mayoral primary as a write-in candidate, he declined the Republican nomination and said he would likely not seek elected office again. Gray went on to win the general election for Mayor in the largely Democratic District.

Mayor of the District of Columbia Head of the executive branch of the government of Washington, D.C

The Mayor of the District of Columbia is the head of the executive branch of the government of the District of Columbia, in the United States. The mayor has the duty to enforce district laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia, in the United States. In addition, the mayor oversees all district services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and the public school system within the District of Columbia. The mayor's office oversees an annual district budget of $8.8 billion.

On February 25, 2008, the District's government submitted to the Mint three design narratives for the District's quarter: one with the District's flag, one depicting Benjamin Banneker, and one depicting Duke Ellington. [16] The District suggested that each of the three designs include either the words "Taxation Without Representation" or "No Taxation Without Representation", [16] both of which refer to the District's efforts to obtain full representation in Congress. [17]

Benjamin Banneker free African American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer

Benjamin Banneker was a free African-American almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African-American woman and a former slave, Banneker had little formal education and was largely self-taught. He is known for being part of a group led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the original borders of the District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.

Duke Ellington American jazz musician, composer and band leader

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than fifty years.

District of Columbia voting rights Suffrage and representation of the United States capital

Voting rights of citizens in the District of Columbia differ from the rights of citizens in each of the 50 U.S. states. The Constitution grants each state voting representation in both houses of the United States Congress. As the federal capital, the District of Columbia is a special federal district, not a state, and therefore does not have voting representation in Congress. The Constitution grants Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the District in "all cases whatsoever".

The Mint rejected both messages because of its prohibition against printing controversial inscriptions on coins. [17] [18] The Mint stated that, while it takes no stance on the voting rights of the District, it considers the messages to be controversial because there is currently "no national consensus" on the issue. [17]

In response, the District revised its designs for the quarter, replacing the text with "JUSTICE FOR ALL", [19] which is an English translation of the District's motto, "JUSTITIA OMNIBUS" (see Seal of the District of Columbia). [17] [20] The District also changed the design with the District's flag to a design depicting Frederick Douglass and revised the narratives for the Banneker and Ellington designs. [19] The Mint then released for review images of artist renderings for each of the three designs. [21]

Following a vote by District residents, Mayor Fenty recommended that the Mint select the design that depicted Duke Ellington, while expressing the District's disappointment that the Mint had disallowed the phrase "Taxation Without Representation". [22] The Secretary of the Treasury approved the design on July 31, 2008. [15]

Puerto Rico

The Senate of Puerto Rico approved a resolution in June 2008, co-sponsored by Senate President Kenneth McClintock and Senate Minority Leader José Luis Dalmau, urging the United States Mint to select an image of the Arecibo Observatory for Puerto Rico's commemorative quarter. On December 15, 2008, U.S. Representative José Serrano of New York released the winning design, the second option developed by the United States Mint. [23] This design depicts a bartizan (sentry turret) and a view of the ocean from Old San Juan, a Flor de Maga (Maga tree flower), and the motto "Isla del Encanto", meaning "Island of Enchantment". The Puerto Rico quarter was the first U.S. coin with an inscription in Spanish. [24]

Guam

Pictured on the Guam quarter are the shape of the island of Guam, a proa boat, and a latte stone pillar. The inscription "Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro" means "Guam, Land of the Chamorro" in the Chamorro language. [25]

American Samoa

The quarter for American Samoa shows an ava bowl, a fue whisk and to'oto'o staff (symbols of traditional authority), and a view of the coastline showing a coconut tree. Inscribed on the coin is the motto of American Samoa, "Samoa Muamua Le Atua", which means "Samoa, God is First" in Samoan. [26] The seal of American Samoa has similar imagery.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Pictured on the U.S. Virgin Islands quarter are the outlines of the islands of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John, a palm tree, a bananaquit, and a yellow cypress flower, along with the motto "United in Pride and Hope". [27]

Northern Mariana Islands

The quarter for the Northern Mariana Islands depicts the sea shore, with a latte stone, two fairy terns, a Carolinian canoe, and a mwar (head lei). [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

50 State Quarters Series of US coins

The 50 State Quarters Program was the release of a series of circulating commemorative coins by the United States Mint. From 1999 through 2008, it featured unique designs for each of the 50 US states on the reverse of the quarter.

Territories of the United States Political division that is directly overseen by the United States federal government

Territories of the United States are sub-national administrative divisions overseen by the federal government. They differ from U.S. states and Native American tribes, which have limited sovereignty. The territories are classified by incorporation and whether they have an "organized" government through an organic act passed by Congress. All U.S. territories are part of the United States, but unincorporated territories are not considered to be integral parts of the United States, and the U.S. constitution only applies partially in those territories.

The following are lists of U.S. state, district, and territorial symbols as recognized by the state legislatures, territorial legislatures, or tradition. Some, such as flags, seals, and birds have been created or chosen by all U.S. polities, while others, such as state crustaceans, state mushrooms, and state toys have been chosen by only a few.

The United States territorial courts are tribunals established in territories of the United States by the United States Congress, pursuant to its power under Article Four of the United States Constitution, the Territorial Clause. Most United States territorial courts are defunct because the territories under their jurisdiction have become states or been retroceded.

Washington quarter

The Washington quarter is the present quarter dollar or 25-cent piece issued by the United States Mint. The coin was first struck in 1932; the original version was designed by sculptor John Flanagan.

Under United States law, an unincorporated territory is an area controlled by the United States government that is not "incorporated" for the purposes of United States constitutional law. In unincorporated territories, the U.S. Constitution applies only partially. In the absence of an organic law, a territory is classified as unorganized. In unincorporated territories, "fundamental rights apply as a matter of law, but other constitutional rights are not available". Selected constitutional provisions apply, depending on congressional acts and judicial rulings according to U.S. constitutional practice, local tradition, and law.

The Outlying Areas Senate Presidents Caucus is an informal legislative body created in 2007, by leaders of the Senates of the U.S. states of Alaska and Hawaii, and the US territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Marianas Islands. The organization's inaugural meeting took place in Hawaii's State Capitol on December 11, 2007. It was attended by Hawaii Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, Alaska Senate Majority Leader Gary Stevens, Guam Legislature Acting Speaker Eddie Baza Calvo, Senate President Joseph Mendiola of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and Puerto Rico Senate President Kenneth McClintock, who convened the meeting.

America the Beautiful Quarters Series of U.S. coins

The America the Beautiful Quarters are a series of 25-cent pieces (quarters) issued by the United States Mint starting in 2010 and scheduled to continue until at least 2021. The series may be extended at the option of the Secretary of the Treasury, potentially to 2032. The obverse (front) of all the coins depicts George Washington in a modified version of the portrait used for the original 1932 Washington quarter. There will be five new reverse (back) designs each year, each depicting a national park or national site – one from each state, the federal district, and each territory. The program is authorized by the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008.

American Innovation $1 Coin Program A series of US dollar coins program

The American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a series of dollar coins created by the United States Mint beginning in 2018 and scheduled to run through 2032.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Mint: District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program (Accessed 2009-01-09)
  2. ↑ Pub.L.   110–161 , 121  Stat.   2018 , enacted December 26, 2007) – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Division D, Title VI, §622, subsection 7. "Territory defined.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `territory' means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."
  3. 1 2 Ganz, David L. Quarter Program Adds Territories, Numismaster.com. 2007-12-20. Accessed 2008-06-01.
  4. ↑ Pub.L.   110–161 , 121  Stat.   2018 , enacted December 26, 2007) – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Division D, Title VI, §623, subsection A.
  5. ↑ Pub.L.   105–124 , 111  Stat.   2534 , enacted December 1, 1997) – 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act, §3, subsection 7. "If any additional State is admitted into the Union before the end of the 10-year period referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury may issue quarter dollar coins, in accordance with this subsection, with a design which is emblematic of such State during any 1 year of such 10-year period, in addition to the quarter dollar coins issued during such year in accordance with paragraph (3)(A)."
  6. ↑ "Mintage figures: United States Mint". Usmint.gov. June 16, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  7. ↑ District of Columbia Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  8. ↑ Puerto Rico Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  9. ↑ Ganz, David (2008). America's State Quarters: The Definitive Guidebook to Collecting State Quarters, House of Collectibles, p.234. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  10. ↑ Guam Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  11. ↑ American Samoa Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  12. ↑ US Virgin Islands Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  13. ↑ Northern Mariana Islands Quarter Guide to the 50 State Quarters Program
  14. ↑ Fenty, Adrian M. (February 1, 2008). "Design of the District of Columbia Quarter Dollar Coin" (PDF). Mayor's Order 2008-21. Newsroom, Government of the District of Columbia. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2010.
  15. 1 2 "District of Columbia Quarter". Coin and Medal Programs: D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters. United States Mint. June 1, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018. "District of Columbia Quarter". Coin and Medal Programs: D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters. United States Mint. June 1, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  16. 1 2 "District of Columbia Quarter Dollar Coin Design Narratives: Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia: Letter from Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia to Edmund C. Moy, Director, United States Mint" (PDF). News Release: "DC Submits Quarter Dollar Designs to the US Mint". Newsroom, Government of the District of Columbia. February 25, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Duggan, Paul (February 28, 2008). "Mint Rejects Voting Rights Message". The Washington Post. p. B03.
  18. ↑ "BREAKING: U.S. Mint Rejects D.C. Quarter Design". DCist. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  19. 1 2 (1) "Revised District of Columbia Quarter Dollar Coin Design and Narratives: Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia: Letter from Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia to Edmund C. Moy, Director, United States Mint" (PDF). News Release. Newsroom, Government of the District of Columbia. February 28, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2008.
    (2) "District of Columbia Quarter Dollar Coin Design Final Narratives" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia: Newsroom, Government of the District of Columbia. March 3, 2008. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  20. ↑ ""justitia omnibus."". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2018. Definition of justitia omnibus: justice for all — motto of the District of Columbia
  21. ↑ "Washington DC Quarter Design Images Released, Public Asked to Vote for Favorite". CoinNews.net. June 4, 2008. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  22. ↑ Fenty, Adrian M. (June 19, 2008). "Recommendation Letter to the U.S. Mint" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia: Government of the District of Columbia. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2009.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
  24. ↑ Associated Press (April 3, 2009). "Puerto Rico Gets Some Change: U.S. Mint Unveils Coin with Spanish Inscription", New York Daily News. Accessed December 26, 2010.
  25. ↑ Guam Quarter, United States Mint. Accessed December 27, 2010.
  26. ↑ American Samoa Quarter, United States Mint. Accessed December 27, 2010.
  27. ↑ U.S. Virgin Islands Quarter, United States Mint. Accessed December 27, 2010.
  28. ↑ Northern Mariana Islands Quarter, United States Mint. Accessed December 27, 2010.


Preceded by
50 State Quarters 		District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarters
(2009)		Succeeded by
America the Beautiful Quarters
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