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 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico quarter is the second coin in the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. Explorer Christopher Columbus arrived at Puerto Rico (“rich port”) in 1493, and it soon became a Spanish colony and important military outpost. Over the years, numerous unsuccessful attempts were made by the French, Dutch and English to conquer the island, but it remained an overseas province of Spain until the Spanish-American War. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, it was ceded to the United States, and its residents became American citizens in 1917. On 3 July 1950, Congress passed a law authorising Puerto Rico to draft its own constitution, and it officially became a United States commonwealth on 25 July 1952.
One of the most characteristic elements of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is its massive belt of walls of stone, built by the Spaniards in the early 16th century to protect the capital city from attacks from the sea. Of particular interest on these walls, which symbolise Puerto Rican strength and fortitude, are the sentry boxes, placed at strategic points along the walls. The sentry box and the walls of San Juan represent Puerto Rico’s rich history, geographical location and defensive role. The Puerto Rico quarter features a historic sentry box and a hibiscus flower.
Puerto Rico Quarter Dollars issued in 2009 have now been in circulation for 16 years. |
Obverse | |
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 | |
The reverse design of the coin shows a view encompassing an old fortress wall and a sentry box protruding from it, against an ocean backdrop. On the right, a hibiscus flower. Above the view, the inscription Isla del Encanto (from Spanish, "Isle of Enchantment").
The initials of the designer JFM (for Joseph Menna) are below right.
The Commonwealth's name PUERTO RICO 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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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: 86,000,000 circulation coins plus 784,614 in "Satin Finish" - Philadelphia Mint: 53,200,000 circulation coins plus 784,614 in "Satin Finish" |
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