On September 28th the Virgin Islands Territory Quarter will be released. This quarter is part of the American Territories Quarter Series which was preceded by the successful State Quarter Series. While this quarter is just two weeks away from making its way to purses, piggy banks and collectors, the U.S. Mint has announced another quarter that will highlight the U.S. Virgin Islands! The second quarter is part of the America the Beautiful Series and will feature Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix.
U.S. Virgin Islands Territory Quarter
A geographical rendition of the U.S. Virgin Islands which includes the 3 major islands, the official bird of the Virgin Islands (the Yellow Breast or Banana Quit) and the official flower of the Virgin Islands (Yellow Cedar). These items represent the natural wonder and beauty of the islands. They are placed on the background of a beach with the Tyre Palm which is native to the Virgin Islands. The inscription “United in Pride and Hope” is the Official Motto of the Territory found on the Virgin Islands Territorial Seal.
U.S. Virgin Islands America the Beautiful Quarter
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program will honor 56 national sites found within the United States and its territories. In 2010, the first year of the program, the U.S. Mint will issue commemorative quarter-dollar coins honoring the first 5 national sites. These include Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon. The familiar “restored” 1932 John Flanagan portrait of George Washington will be featured on the obverse of the quarters.
“These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured and beautiful national sites – majestic and historic places located throughout the United States and its territories that truly make us ‘America the Beautiful,'” United States Mint Director Ed Moy said. “The designs will help reinvigorate interest in our national parks, forests, fish and wildlife refuges, and other national sites, as well as educate the public about their importance to us and our history.”
The Virgin Islands’ Salt River Bay Quarter will be the 53rd in the series and will be issued in 2020. The design has not yet been chosen. Local park officials will submit information about Salt River to the U.S. Mint and the agency will create three to five designs. A final design will be made with the help of Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands John deJongh Jr. The final decision however rests with Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner.
Salt River Bay is a living museum on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It offers a dynamic, tropical ecosystem with prehistoric and colonial-era archaeological sites and ruins. It is home to some of the largest mangrove forests in the Virgin Islands as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon. The National Park Service and the Government of the United States Virgin Islands jointly manage this 1,015-acre park. It was established as a national site in 1992.
