:computer:why :computer: In 2009, the United States Mint will mint and issue six quarter-dollar coins in honor of the District of Columbia and the five United States Territories: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These coins will be issued in equal sequential intervals in 2009 in the order listed. The image of George Washington as seen on the obverse of the 50 State Quarters® coins will remain unchanged. The reverse of each quarter will be distinctly different with images emblematic of the District of Columbia and each of the United States Territories. Public Law requires the Secretary of the Treasury to approve each reverse design after consulting with the Chief Executive of the District of Columbia or the territory being honored and the Commission of Fine Arts, and after review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The Design Evaluation and Selection Process provides details on the steps the Secretary and the United States Mint will take to develop and approve the reverse designs in this 2009 series. These coins will be issued for circulation in quantities to meet the needs of the United States—both for commerce and for collectors. In addition, the Secretary has the authority to mint and issue uncirculated and proof coins, as well as a 90 percent silver version of each coin. These numismatic versions will be included in the United States Mint’s annual product offerings.
This sort of debases the whole series IMO. I'll get them but only in the annual silver proof set, my personal boycott.
Well they may actual teach people that we have territories. I told a person at work about these got the response "WE have territories?". But then again knowing people they might assume that these are new states.
Just wait until the State Park Quarter series passes through Congress. You won't want to look at another quarter again as long as you live!
So why is it a bad thing for new designs to come out? I personally love the idea of new things to collect. I suppose that if it's more about the rarity of the coins, I'd prefer them to only make a limited number of the special designs and keep with a standard design for the rest of the coins of that year. -DJ
I know everyone gets pretty uptight about all the crap put out by the mint sometimes, but I take a slightly different view. I do think, so long as the mint does not engage in overkill, this type of thing can encourage new collectors. I guess one way or the other, we will find out...
The District of Columbia has three electoral votes and deserves at least a voting congresscritter. Puerto Rico could become a state whenever it wishes. As to the rest, why not? They'd been trying to get the bill passed for years and years and years. I don't like the Nat Park series either or the silver NASA/planetary series (Pluto gets a 75¢ piece or something like that)...but a DC quarter I''m all in favor of.
So from what I gather, it's more about putting all these different types of coins into circulation. I can see that, but I'd still like for them to have a commemorative coin that could be purchased.
98% of them are that way. Looking through your change is fun and the thrill of the hunt is always is part of why people do this thing.
I agree. These types of programs infuse new blood (new collectors) into our hobby. Whether or not the new blood remains in the hobby only time will tell. I will say this....it was the State Quarters program that really re-kindled my interest in collecting and inspired me to look into other areas within the hobby.
I wonder if this is going to be the "thing" of the future. With computer aided coin design and manufacturing, I'm thinking in the next decade or so, every year will have a series or new design, and not just the quarters. We have had the Westward Nickle series, various Quarters, and next year's Lincoln cent series. With past coin designs lasting decades, I'm wondering if those days are over. I hope not.
