Guam Governor Felix Camacho has sent two quarter design proposals to the United States Mint. While the highly successful 50 State Quarters® Program ends this year, six new quarters will be released in 2009 honoring the District of Columbia and the five United States Territories.
Governor Camacho first sought help from the public in January with the goal of seeking ideas with themes and stories emblematic of Guam and its peoples.
59 ideas were sent in along with hundreds of other suggestions, according to the official Governor of Guam website.
Unlike the recently submitted D.C. quarter design proposals that were quickly rejected by the U.S. Mint, there has been no public rejection of Guam’s.
At the time of the submission, Governor Camacho said:
“We are one step closer to circulating an image of our island throughout our country that will make us all very proud and showcase the beauty and distinctiveness of our culture. I want to thank everyone who participated in this program for representing our island and our heritage well.”
The following design proposals were selected and sent to the U.S. Mint:
Guam quarter design proposal 1
The outline of the island of Guam sits in the center of the coin. To the left of the outline of Guam is the phrase, “Guåhan Tånó I Man Chamorro”. On the right of the coin sits two distinct images, one on top of the other: the Latte and the Flying Proa.
Guam quarter design proposal 2
A view of East Hagåtña Bay with detail shows the majestic view of the calm of the inner reef waters and the Philippine Sea just beyond the reef. In the background, is Two Lovers Point, considered the most photographed and visited tourist site on Guam.
In the foreground, a coconut tree bending toward the left of the image. To the right of the coconut tree is the phrase, “Tånó I Man Chamorro”. To the left of the coconut tree is a Flying Proa, depicted as distant from the shore and sailing majestically within the reef.
To the right of the base of the coconut tree is a latte. Detail is minimal, but the size should be 1/3 the scale of the coconut tree. The top of the latte barely touches the phrase, “Tånó I Man Chamorro”. To the left of the base of the coconut tree is a break in the sand bar depicting the Hagåtña River Channel.
U.S. quarters set for release in 2009
The D.C. and U.S. Territories quarters are to be issued in 2009 at equal intervals and in the following order:
- The District of Columbia
- The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
- Guam
- American Samoa
- The United States Virgin Islands
- The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Similar to the 50 State Quarters Program design process, design proposals or "narratives" submitted by D.C. and the territories will be taken and refined. A final candidate will then be selected and eventually minted for release in 2009.
I am pleased w/ the designs we the people of Guahan have brought forth, meaningful through our past as Chamorro people. The hardships and struggles that have let us be where we are today as successful people in this forever changing modern era. I am honored that it will be in circulation throughout the nation by next year.
Sinseru, Brian Santos. Familian bali Tres/Dikta
What does “Guahan Tano I Man Chamorro” on the 2009 Guam quarter mean in English?
Guåhan Tånó I Man Chamorro (translated: “Guam- Land of the Chamorro”). Chamorro are the idigenous people of Guam.