District of Columbia Quarter
2009 District of Columbia Quarter
The District of Columbia Quarter was the first release of the District of Columbia & US Territories Quarters Program. The obverse of the coin was designed by William Cousins after John Flanagan. The reverse of the coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart. The reverse design features jazz musician Duke Ellington seated at his piano.
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Categories: 2009 United States Coin Releases, DC & US Territories Quarters, United States Quarters
The ‘Duke’ was chosen by washingtonians, and I respect their choice. The overall design is pleasing, and yes, Duke Ellington is the FIRST African-American to grace a circulating US coin.
Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver were honored on COMMEMORATIVE coins, designed for collectors — NOT for circulation.
Ratings:I must say, even though I appreciate “Duke” Ellington’s contributions to music, is this really the best thing the District of Columbia could come up with? The design isn’t pleasing to the eye and lacks inspiration. The site along the Potomac River was chosen for the capital city by George Washington. The city came under attack during the War of 1812 in an episode known as the Burning of Washington. Upon the government’s return to the capital, it had to manage reconstruction of numerous public buildings, including the White House and United States Capitol Building. The McMillan Plan of 1901 helped restore and beautify the downtown core area, including establishing the National Mall, along with numerous monuments and museums.
Slavery was abolished throughout the District on April 16, 1862, however segregation was a fact in this area until the 1950’s! So “Duke” Elington was the best that they could come up with?
Ratings:Who chooses these designs? What were they thinking?
Yahoo said this is the first African-American on a US coin, but what about the BT Washington and GW Carver Halves?
Ratings:I couldn’t have said it any better than Paul did (the first poster). Ditto for me.
Ratings:Is this really the best D.C. could come up with? I have nothing against Duke Ellington personally, but I find it hard to believe that he was the best choice for this design. And what Duke Ellington has to do with the “Justice for All” motto escapes me entirely. It seems a nice rendition of the Capitol building would have been a far better choice to represent the District. A very poor effort in my view.
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