Nearly a year later, new 2009 American Samoa quarter design announced
The United States Mint has advised Governor Togiola Tulafono that the American Samoa quarter is one of the six new designs for the 25-cent coin that will be issued this year to honor the District of Columbia and the five US territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
The coins will be put into circulation in approximately two-month intervals throughout the year.
Governor Togiola explained that, 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. “This is great news as we get closer and closer to the release of our 25 cent coin,” said the Governor. “The US Mint says that while the quarters focus on each territory’s individuality, they also recognize the common thread that unites all of us."
According to the Governor, the quarter honoring the District of Columbia will debut this month while American Samoa will be the fourth coin issued next year, after Puerto Rico and Guam. The US Virgin Islands and CNMI will be issued last.
The obverse (heads side) of all six 2009 District of Columbia and US territories quarters will continue to display the familiar image of President George Washington and the inscription "In God We Trust," as well as the words "United States of America," "Quarter Dollar," and "Liberty."
Togiola explained that the design on the reverse (tails side) of our quarter will feature the ava bowl, and the whisk and staff used in our special Samoan ceremonies.
Our official motto, “SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA (Samoa, God is First),” is also inscribed. And like all the new quarters, the coins will continue to bear the standard inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM and the year, 2009.
“I wish to congratulate and say thanks to all who have supported this effort, to those who made artwork submissions, and to the three local artists whose submissions helped the US Mint to formulate the narratives which inspired the creation of the three concept designs and allowed us to select the final design that will appear on our coin,” the Governor said. “Although their wonderful work was not the actual design selected and depicted on the upcoming coin, it is important that I recognize the work of our local artists Christopher Lafoa'i, Henry Utoaluga, and Mark Ashley Faulkner, whose submissions were selected to help the Territorial Coin Committee with the narratives required by the selection process established by the US Mint. Thank you for your contribution and we look forward to American Samoa’s quarter to be issued in 2009.”
Togiola concluded, “Allow it to be a reminder of our traditions, our way of life, and what makes us a unique part of the United States.”
The reverse side of the American Samoa quarter was designed by US Mint AIP Master Designer Stephen Clark and sculpted by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers. Images of the new American Samoa coin design, including the designs for the District of Columbia and the other US territories can be viewed at: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009DCTerri
The 2009 quarters will be issued into circulation in quantities to meet the needs of the United States, both for commerce and collectors. In addition, the Department of Treasury 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 US Mint's annual product offerings.
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