Guam Quarter -- 2009 Quarters Proof Set Begins US Mint Year

By CoinNews.net on Jan 2nd, 2009 in Coin or Numismatic News, Featured Coin News Articles, New Coin Releases, United States Mint News and Information

The United States Mint will begin selling 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Proof Sets for $14.95 each on Monday, January 5, at noon (ET).

The set includes the six proof 2009 quarters with reverse designs honoring the District of Columbia (D.C.), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Demand for this annual set is typically strong. According to the latest sales figures, the US Mint sold 672,004 of the 2008-dated version. Current eBay auctions have prices listed that are nearly double that of what the Mint charged.

The new set replaces last year's 50 State Quarters Proof Set, which included five quarters for the price of $13.95. Similar to the 2008 state quarters, standard circulating versions of each are to be released in equal intervals throughout 2009. Additionally, the Mint will release forthcoming collector products to include silver versions of the quarters, an uncirculated set, and another proof set with all 2009 circulating coins.

How proof coins are different from circulating coins

The coins in each set are proof. The mint describes proof as,

" … a manufacturing process in which specially-treated coin blanks are struck multiple times using specially-polished dies. Proof coins-unlike coins produced for general circulation-are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background. A frosted, sculpted foreground gives these coins a special cameo effect."

http://www.coinnews.net/2009/01/02/2009-quarters-proof-set-starts-us-mint-year-4654/

2009 Quarter Images for DC and US Territories

By CoinNews.net on Feb 10th, 2009 in Coin or Numismatic News, United States Mint News and Information | No Comments

The United States Mint has unveiled proof 2009 quarter images depicting the themes honoring the District of Columbia and the five United States territories — D.C., Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The high resolution quarter images were not available at the time the 2009 Quarters Proof Set were issued in Jan., and offer an excellent presentation for how circulating quarters will look.

The Mint is already offering DC quarters in rolls and bags. The five other quarters will enter circulation in equal intervals spread throughout 2009.

Guam

The third quarter of 2009, honoring the territory of Guam, includes an outline of the island of Guam, a latte stone-once used as building support in ancient Chamorro society-and a flying proa (a native boat).

Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro (Guam, Land of the Chamorro) is also inscribed on the coin's reverse.

Designer and Sculptor

The Guam quarter reverse was designed by United States Mint AIP Associate Designer David Westwood and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

http://www.coinnews.net/2009/01/02/2009-quarters-proof-set-starts-us-mint-year-4654/

Design Selection Process

Designs for each quarter were submitted and recommended through a process determined by the Governors for the District of Columbia and each United States territories. The U.S. Mint reviewed the designs before each Governor recommended a final design based mostly on a resident voting with some using a committee selection process. Both the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts were involved in improving designs while the Department of the Treasury selected each.

More information may be read though the US Mint page, The District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarter Program.

After the DC and US Territories Quarters Program ends in 2009, National Park Quarters will launch beginning in 2010.

http://www.coinnews.net/2009/02/10/2009-quarter-images-for-dc-and-us-territories-4706/