Georgetown Independent

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News

Media Credit: fnbbagley.com/quarters.jpg

Starting in 2009, the US Mint, in the style of its State Quarter program, will roll out a new series of quarters honoring the District of Columbia and the five US territories. Along with the DC quarter, the Mint will issue coins honoring Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

When the original Senate act passed in 1997 authorizing the US Mint to create the 50 State Quarters program, it included a provision for expansion beyond just 50 states in a clause authorizing the design of a quarter for any states admitted to the Union prior to the end of the ten-year program.Though no new states have been added, efforts to issue quarters honoring other American holdings had been underway for several years, mostly led by the District of Columbia's non-voting representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. After multiple failed attempts in the House and Senate, the latest effort gained momentum in January 2007 when Rep. José Serrano (D-NY), a native Puerto Rican, became chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services. He seized the opportunity to provide some recognition for his homeland, as well as for D.C., and the other US territories.

"I said 'Ah-ha!' " Serrano recalled to the Washington Post. "So I said, 'Puerto Rico will get a quarter. But it shouldn't be just Puerto Rico; it should be all the territories.' "

H.R. 392, the new bill, was quickly introduced and passed by the end of the month. In a strategic move, the text of H.R. 392 was added to the Omnibus Spending Bill as Section 622, and signed into law in December 2007 by President Bush.

D.C. is not actually a territory, he clarified, "but it's certainly treated that way."

The issuance of the new quarters, raised issues of D.C. statehood. According to Washington D.C. "shadow representative" Michael Panetta, "Having a quarter is about giving D.C. the respect it deserves. It's a great first step, but I'd much rather see another star on the American flag."

Judging by the way the U.S. government currently treats the issue of D.C. statehood, there are no indications that achieving statehood is likely. The new quarters bill does not refer to giving any sort of recognition to the District of Columbia or the territories. It states simply that "quarter dollar coins issued during 2009 shall have designs on the reverse side selected in accordance with this subsection which are emblematic of the District of Columbia and the territories." The U.S. Mint's website designates the "50 State Quarters Program" and "D.C. and U.S. territories" as separate categories of coinage.

However, the issuance of the quarters still raises recognition of the District of Columbia as a viable body. The new quarters are still typically referred to in the vernacular as "state quarters." Panetta displayed his optimism, saying, "I hope we can get a quarter with the 'No Taxation Without Representation' slogan on it. Just like the license plates, it will put the issue in front of an entire new audience of people-only this time it will literally circulate around the entire country."

U.S. Mint has to issue approval for designs, so a "Taxation Without Representation" slogan may be unlikely, but many designs could still draw attention to the cause of statehood or Congressional votes for D.C. In a 2004 statement, Norton pointed out that "This bill points up the importance of including all [emphasis added] Americans in the symbols of American citizenship."

So what design will end up on the D.C. quarter? According to a Washington Post article, activists in support of statehood and voting representation are adamant that a federal symbol not be used. Instead, they suggested a design of local importance. Possibilities that quickly come to mind would be that of a cherry blossom tree or beloved baby panda Tai Shan, nicknamed "Butterstick."

No matter what design is selected or how the new quarters advance D.C. statehood and voting rights, enthusiastic coin collectors will need to find a new method of organizing their quarters. As one DCist.com commenter lamented, "What is my dad going to do? He is collecting all of the quarters... in a collector's case and now he will have two extra quarters! Those collector's case makers are going to make a killing!"

Wertenberger is a Government junior. Ponder is Managing Editor and an American Studies junior.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools