Officials wore traditional floral headgear as they formally introduced on Dec. 9 the sixth and final coin in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories quarter series honoring the Northern Mariana Islands.
Presiding over the ceremony at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan, were Deputy U.S. Mint Director Andy Brunhart and Gov. Benigno R. Fitial. Each wore a traditional “mwar,” which is symbolic of the virtues of honor and respect.
“The design chosen for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands quarter-dollar coin reflects the islands’ native culture, natural resources and warm hospitality,” Brunhart said.
The ceremony included placement of the quarter’s image on a map by Brunhart and Fitial and performances by local cultural groups.
The two then gave out free quarters to children of 18 and younger who were present. Adults could buy rolls of 40 coins for the $10 face value.
Collectors can purchase the coins in either bags or rolls online or through the Mint’s telephone sales service.
A two-roll set that includes one roll each from Denver and Philadelphia is priced at $32.95 plus $4.95 per order for postage and handling.
Bags of 100 coins are also $32.95 each. They are from one mint or the other and not mixed together. Bags of 1,000 coins are $309.95 each. There are shipping charges for these as well.
Visit www.usmint.gov, or telephone (800) USA-MINT.
Designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the Mint says the design shows near shore a large limestone latte, the supporting column of ancient indigenous Chamorro structures. There is a canoe of the indigenous Carolinians, two white fairy tern birds and a Carolinian mwar, which is composed of plumeria, langilang (Ylang Ylang), angagha (peacock flower) and teibwo (Pacific Basil) borders.
More Resources:
• State Quarters Deluxe Folder By Warmans
