Puerto Rico Quarter

The Puerto Rico quarter was minted in 2009 as the second in the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. This is one of 6 commemorative quarters from the D.C. and U.S. Territories quarters, which were made to complement the 50 State Quarters Program.

Design of Puerto Rico Quarter

The Puerto Rico quarter shows a historic sentry box and a hibiscus flower, as it is the official flower of Puerto Rico.

Perhaps, the most emblematic icon of San Juan is their great walls of stone, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. These were meant to protect the capital city from attacks originating from the sea.

On these walls of San Juan are strategically allocated the sentry boxes. Which both symbolize Puerto Rico’s strength. In addition, these represent Puerto Rico’s vast history, strategic geographical location, and defensive importance.

A committee selected by Puerto Rico Governor Aníbal Acevedo-Vilá created two reverse designs. These featured iconic emblems of the territory, one with the sentry box, and the other with the Palacio de Santa Catalina.

Both designs, directed by the Puerto Rico Culture Institute, were sent to the United States Mint. This was for producing the renderings, which were then presented to the commonwealth. The Governor suggested the sentry box design, and it was authorized on July 31, 2008.

Observe Inscriptions

• United States of America.
• Liberty.
• In God we trust.
• Quarter dollar.

Reverse Inscriptions

• Puerto Rico.
• Isla del Encanto.
• E Pluribus Unum.

Coin Specifications

• Standard Weight: 5.670g.
• Standard Diameter: 0.955 inches/24.26 millimeters.
• Thickness: 1.75 millimeters.
• Edge: Reeded.
• Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad.

Puerto Rico Quarter Facts

The Puerto Rico quarter was released to the public on March 30 of 2009. It was in the same fashion as the 50 states and the District of Columbia quarters.

The Puerto Rico quarter and the rest of the coins in the D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters Program were approved, thanks to H.R. 2764. A bill that President George W. Bush signed into law on December 26 of 2007.

The amount of 139,200,000 of Puerto Rico quarters was released into circulation. The U.S. Mint Denver Facility minted 86,000,000 and the U.S. Mint Philadelphia Facility minted 53,200,000.

Where to Buy Puerto Rico Quarters

On caribbeantrading.com, you can buy this collectible coin. Here you will find a collection of Puerto Rico quarters that includes both mints, the Denver one and the Philadelphia one. This two-coin set of brilliant without circulation quarter dollars is a great way to collect every quarter in the 56-coin series.

This collection is even educational as it includes cards with interesting facts. Such as historical facts about the place and the meaning of its quarter design. Also comes with information about notable natives, population, and other interesting statistics to study and enjoy.

Short History of Puerto Rico

It was 1493 when Christopher Columbus, the explorer, first reached Puerto Rico. It was claimed for Spain, as a colony, and it shortly became a settlement as well as an important defense post.

In subsequent years, the French, Dutch, and English leaded various unsuccessful tries to conquer the island. Despite this, Spain held the ownership and it stayed as an overseas province until the Spanish-American War.

After Spain lost, in 1898 the Treaty of Paris stated that Puerto Rico has to be ceded to the United States. In 1917, their inhabitants would obtain American citizenship.

Congress authorized Puerto Rico to formulate its own constitution on July 3 of 1950. Finally, on July 25 of 1952, it officially joined the United States territories as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program

The program was meant to be a one-year event to celebrate the District of Columbia and the five U.S. Territories. During this year, the back format of the quarter-dollar was modified six times because of this program. The coins were manufactured in equal gaps of that year.

This program is the successor and immediately followed the 50 State Quarters Program, which finished in 2008. All the quarters from both programs are lawful tender coinage, emitted by the United States Mint, and are in free circulation.

The District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Ordered by Release Date

• The District of Columbia, January 26 of 2009.
• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, March 30 of 2009.
• Guam, May 26 of 2009.
• American Samoa, July 27of 2009.
• The United States Virgin Islands, September 28 of 2009.
• The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, November 30 of 2009.

Designs

The 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program designs are shown on the back of the quarters. While the front of the quarters kept displaying the typical image of George Washington.

The designs were created via a consultative strategy. This implicated the chief executive of the District of Columbia and each territory and the Commission of Fine Arts. Once developed, they were chosen after examination by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

The Secretary of the Treasury agreed on all final designs.