Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 25 Cents 2009, KM# 447a, United States of America (USA), District of Columbia and US Territories Quarters Program, Guam
  • 25 Cents 2009, KM# 447a, United States of America (USA), District of Columbia and US Territories Quarters Program, Guam
Description

The District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarters Program was a one-year coin program of the United States Mint that saw quarters being minted in 2009 to honor the District of Columbia and the unincorporated United States insular areas of Puerto Rico, Guam, United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. It followed the successful completion of the 50 State Quarters program.

The Mint produced Uncirculated and Proof versions of each coin, as well as a 90% pure silver version in Proof. These coins were available from banks, circulation or by purchase from the Mint in rolls, bags, and as parts of Uncirculated and Proof sets.

Guam is an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. The capital city of Guam is Hagåtña and the most populous city is Dededo. The inhabitants of Guam are called Guamanians.

The indigenous Chamorros settled the island approximately 4,000 years ago. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, while in the service of Spain, was the first European to visit the island on March 6, 1521. Guam was colonized by Spain in 1668 with settlers, including Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Catholic Jesuit missionary. Between the 16th century and the 18th century, Guam was an important stopover for the Spanish Manila Galleons. During the Spanish–American War, the United States captured Guam on June 21, 1898. Under the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded Guam to the United States on December 10, 1898.

Release date (territory date): May 26, 2009 (December 10, 1898).

Obverse

Depicts a modified left-facing bust of George Washington, a design by John Flanagan based on a 1786 plaster bust by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Sculptor-engraver William Cousins designed the newer rendition of Washington.

Wrapping around the top of the coin is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To Washington’s left is the inscription LIBERTY. To his right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The coin’s denomination wraps around the bottom of the coin, written as QUARTER DOLLAR. The initials of John Flanagan (JF) and William Cousins (WC) are visible in the bust truncation. The mintmark is seen to the right of Washington’s ponytail.

George Washington (1732–1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–1797), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the "father of his country".

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN
GOD WE
TRUST
LIBERTY
S
JF WC
QUARTER DOLLAR

Reverse

Depicts an outline of the island, a flying proa, and a latte stone. Caption: "Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro" (Guam, land of the Chamorro) on the right.

A proa, also seen as prau, perahu, and prahu, is a type of multihull sailboat. It is a vessel consisting of two (usually) unequal length parallel hulls. It is sailed so that one hull is kept to windward, and the other to leeward, so that it needs to "shunt" to reverse direction when tacking. The perahu traditional outrigger boat is most numerous in the various islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

A latte stone, or simply latte (also latde), is a pillar (Chamorro language: haligi) capped by a hemispherical stone capital (tasa) with the flat side facing up. Used as building supports by the ancient Chamorro people, they are found throughout most of the Mariana Islands. In modern times, the latte stone is seen as a sign of Chamorro identity and is used in many different contexts.

Engraver: Jim Licaretz (JL)

GUAM
Guahan
I Tanó
ManChamorro
JL
E PLURIBUS UNUM 2009

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 6.25 g
Diameter 24.3 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
San Francisco Mint (S)

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