You've probably been handling the State Quarters that are circulated for quite some time now, and lately there were even some few more additions to the 50 State Quarters, one of them is Washington DC's own special quarter.
One might imagine that a Washington DC quarter will be engraved with the city’s memorable architecture, the Capitol, the White House, or even the National Mall. But instead of a monument, the reverse design of the quarter features Mr. Duke Ellington and his piano.
Ellington, the famous jazz musician, was born and raised in Washington DC and many consider him to be one of the most talented composers and musicians of all time. The choice was made in order to show the nation that DC has much more to offer than just politics, and it is not only a government city.
“Justice For All” says the inscription which originally designed to be “Taxation Without Representation” which is a controversial motto about the fact that DC residents pay federal taxes but are not fully represented in congress.
The DC Quarter is available at Continental Mint as part of the 1999-2009 BU D/P US State & territories Quarters set.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, considered by many historians and citizens as one of truly greatest U.S. Presidents, was the only President elected for four terms.
FDR died in 1945 and Congress decided to honor the late President with the Roosevelt Dime. The new coin was released for circulation on January 30, 1946, on FDR’s 64th birthday.
On one side of the dime is FDR’s portrait and on the other, olive and oak branches with a torch between, symbolizing liberty and peace.
There’s a funny anecdote behind the special coin. The designer and engraver of the dime was John R. Sinnock and his initials (“JS”) where placed on the coin. Shortly after, a wave of rumors spread through Communist fearing America; rumors that the initials of Joseph Stalin were placed on the coin by a Soviet intruder. It’s easy to understand the reason for the initials JRS that were used by the designer on the Franklin half dollars that he designed later on.
The Roosevelt Dimes set is a mesmerizing, 198 coin set of BU and Proof Roosevelt Dimes. The set, magnificently displayed in a Dansco Supreme Album, consists of Proof coins dating from 1968. The set also includes the BU 1996W and all 1992-2008 silver proof coins.
Visit Continental Mint and enjoy adding coins to this extraordinary set, each and every year.
