New DC Quarter Designs Unveiled for Public Voting

The United States Mint has arranged the design variants of three District of Columbia commemorative quarter coins and passed them to D.C. for review. The moment came for the public to vote for the best design so to help choose the final design for the quarter coin.

The design, which will be announced as the final one, will be offered to the U.S. Mint to be issued in 2009. It is worth mentioning that the new design will be a part of District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program.

After the 50 State Quarters® Program ended up successfully this year, six new quarters were struck to commemorate the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories. The original concept was rejected due to the included phrase that stated "Taxation Without Representation". The United States Mint considered this phrase to be too controversial.

The DC officials made several descriptions for the design in order to ease the work of artists at the U.S. Mint for each of the three types of quarter designs.

Frederick Douglas: Abolitionist, Orator, Statesman, Publisher

The design should feature three elements:

The image of Frederick Douglass, who might be depicted seated at or standing next to an his rolltop desk, standing at Cedar Hill, with the caption of the legend stating "Frederick Douglass";

· The illustration of the current boundaries of the D.C.; one or both of the rivers might be included (the image may feature the outline of the 3 straight sides only, or the 3 straight sides along with the Anacostia River);

· The inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL.

The importance of Frederick Douglass to District of Columbia

The famous orator was born in 1838. He was a slave, who later managed to escape and live free in the North. Shortly after his escape he became a famous abolitionist orator. For quarter of century he lived in Rochester, New York but was famous across the nation for expressing his opinion against the injustice for all American people, especially African-Americans and women.

In 1872 Frederick Douglass moved to the capital of the United States and became the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia prior to being appointed Minister Resident and Consul General of the Republic of Haiti and Charge d’Affaires for the Dominican Republic by President Harrison.

He is a famous citizen of Washington, symbolizing the battle of the District for basic rights in his break out from slavery, abolitionist cause, as well as the struggle for women's suffrage. Currently the National Park Service runs the National Historic Site, where Frederick Douglass spent 15 years of his life. During his time the National Historical Site was called Cedar Hill.

Benjamin Banneker: Abolitionist, Mathematician, Astronomer

The design should feature three elements:

The figure of Benjamin Banneker, standing dressed as 18^th century gentleman, resembling his illustration on the USPS 1980 15 cent stamp (tri-corner hat, coat with tails, ascot, leather boots or buckled shoes), along with the inscription "Benjamin Banneker";

· Diamond shape, which would characterize the original illustration of the District of Columbia, Potomac and Anacostia rivers might be specified (the rivers are to be included in case they do not impede with the coin's artistry);

· The inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL;

· It is possible to include the image of the surveyor's transit and equal altitude instrument.

The importance of Benjamin Banneker to District of Columbia

Benjamin Banneker was born in 1731 in Maryland. His father was a former slave but Banneker was born free. After being taught to read and write by his grandmother, he eventually started learning mathematics, astronomy and write almanacs.

Andrew Ellicott, who was a famous surveyor, hired Banneker to help his survey group plot the land that will serve as a place for the future capital city on the new nation. The year was 1791 and Banneker was 60 years old. He became famous due to almanacs that provided precise predictions of eclipses.

Benjamin Banneker is a very important figure for D.C. as he was a black man who participated in the creation of the capital of the United States.

Duke Ellington: Native Son

The design should feature three elements:

The image of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, seated at or standing next to a grand piano, which might be depicted whole or partial, along with the inscription caption "Duke Ellington";

The representation of the current boundaries of the D.C., one or both of the rivers might be included (the image may feature the outline of the 3 straight sides only, or the 3 straight sides along with the Anacostia River);

The inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL.

The importance of Duke Allington to District of Columbia

Born in 1899 in D.C. Duke Ellington is an icon of the nation's capital. He was raised in LeDroit Park neighborhood and went to DC Public Schools. He is one of the most excellent jazz pianists of his period and an exceptional band leader.

By 1974, when the Duke Allington passed away, he already had 13 Grammy Awards and was granted with a great number of honorary degrees and awards worldwide. One of the most impressive is the Presidential Medal of Freedom granted to Duke Ellington in 1969.

The image of Duke Ellington on the DC Quarter coin represents a tribute to a man who played a great role in the development of jazz music, contributing to the whole history of music.

Placing Votes for New Quarter Designs

Voting is limited to DC residents. To cast your vote at: os.dc.gov

The voting will take place until June 18 at 5 p.m. ET. The winning design will be announced in July. The new District of Columbian and U.S. Territories quarters will be introduced in 2009 at equal intervals as follows: