2009 District of Columbia Quarter

2009 District of Columbia Proof Quarter, Reverse - Click to Enlarge

The 2009 District of Columbia Quarter is the first in a year-long series of quarter dollars which features the city that hosts the nation's capitol, as well as the territories of the United States.

The reverse of the coin features a sitting image of Duke Ellington, the famous composer and musician, who was a citizen of the District of Columbia. The District originally submitted designs that included the phrase "Taxation Without Representation," but the Mint refused them on the basis that they would be too controversial on a coin.

As the first coin in the new series, it launched in late January, but a ceremony was not held to mark the release until February at the Smithsonian Institution. A performance by the Duke Ellington High School Jazz Band added some music to the occasion.

The D.C. Quarters have been struck for circulation as well as uncirculated and proof conditions.

District of Columbia Quarter Design Design

2009 District of Columbia Proof Quarter, Obverse - Click to Enlarge

Obverse design: An image of George Washington appears on the obverse of the quarter dollar, as it has done since 1932. It was originally designed by John Flanagan with William Cousins modifying it to include additional inscriptions. The inscriptions on the obverse are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "QUARTER DOLLAR," "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the mintmark.

Reverse design: Joel Iskowitz designed the reverse with Don Everhart sculpting. It features one of the District of Columbia's most famous sons, Duke Ellington, sitting at a piano. "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", "2009" and "JUSTICE FOR ALL", (the motto of Washington D.C.), are also on the reverse.

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