| Coin | Quarter Dollar 2009 Guam |
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The Quarter Dollar is a United States coin worth 25 cents. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831.
From its inception until 1964, the denomination was issued in silver; it underwent several design changes, including finally the silver Washington quarter (1932 - 1964) featuring the first President of the United States on the obverse and the American Eagle clutching a bunch of arrows on the reverse. Initially meant as a one-year design to commemorate 200 years since the birth of George Washington in 1932, the obverse became the definitive design for the denomination and has been used ever since. The reverse was issued in this form until 1998, after which time the series of State Quarters circulating commemoratives started being issued instead. Between 1999 and 2008, the United States Mint issued five different "state quarters" every year, each dedicated to one of the US states.
After the program ended, the US Mint began issuing quarters under the 2009 District of Columbia and US Territories Program; the six coins are in honour of the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Guam quarter is the third coin in the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. Initial Western contact with Guam occurred when explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the southernmost Mariana Islands in 1521. From 1668 to 1815, it served as a way station for Spanish Acapulco-to-Manila ships. Spanish rule of Guam came to an end when American forces secured the island during the Spanish-American War. During World War II, the Japanese seized Guam and occupied it for more than two years, with American forces recapturing it in 1944. Under the Organic Act of 1950, the people of Guam became American citizens and established a local government.
Guam Quarter Dollars issued in 2009 have now been in circulation for 16 years. |
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| Obverse | |
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At its centre, the obverse of the coin shows the portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States (1789 - 1797), facing left. He has long hear, tied below the neck with a ribbon.
The designer's initials JF (for John Flanagan) are in relief on the neck truncation, followed by those of the engraver: WC (for William Cousins).
To the left of the portrait, the inscription LIBERTY. On three lines to the right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Around above, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the value and denomination in words: QUARTER DOLLAR.
The mint mark is a small letter behind George Washington's neck.
Mint marks this year are D, P or S for Denver Mint, Philadelphia Mint or San Francisco Mint respectively. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin depicts the outline of the island of Guam, a flying proa (a seagoing craft built by the Chamorro people), and a latte stone (an architectural element used as the base of homes). The proa represents the endurance, fortitude and discovery of the Chamorro people. The vessel, made by expert carvers and sailed by master navigators, is admired as a technical marvel. The latte speaks to a historic icon that hails from the Micronesian area. Chamorro is one of the official languages of Guam, and its usage is enjoying a renaissance there and on the Mariana Islands. On the right, the inscription Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro ("Guam - Land of Chamorro").
The initials of the designer JL (for Jim Licaretz) are below right.
The territory's name GUAM is around above.
Around below, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity), followed by the date of issue 2009. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Authorising Legislation: Public Act 110-161.
The San Francisco Mint only struck proof coins for collectors, not released into circulation: 2,113,478 in copper-nickel and 996,548 in silver.
The other two mints issued both circulation coins and "Satin Finish" coins for collectors. Their mintages were:
- Denver Mint: 42,600,000 circulation coins plus 784,614 in "Satin Finish"
- Philadelphia Mint: 45,000,000 circulation coins plus 784,614 in "Satin Finish" |
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