WASHINGTON — The United States Mint will release millions of commemorative quarter–dollar coins into circulation on March 30, 2009, to honor the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. At noon Eastern Time (ET) the same day, customers can begin ordering two–roll sets (40 coins per roll) that include one roll each from the United States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver, and bags of 100 and 1,000 coins.
The set, priced at $32.95, contains two rolls of coins wrapped in specially designed United States Mint coin paper that displays a “P” or “D” for the roll’s mint of origin, “PR” for Puerto Rico and “$10,” representing the roll’s dollar value. The bags of 100 coins are offered at $32.95, and the bags of 1,000 coins are offered at $309.95. Each bag is also marked with the mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents. The bags and two–roll sets contain Puerto Rico quarters struck for use in general circulation.
The Puerto Rico quarter is the second released under the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. The design on the reverse (tails side) of the Puerto Rico quarter features a historic sentry box in old San Juan and a hibiscus. The design, by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Joseph Menna, includes the inscriptions Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment), E PLURIBUS UNUM, 2009 and PUERTO RICO.
Orders for the bags and rolls of Puerto Rico quarters may be placed at the United States Mint’s secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Domestic orders include a $4.95 fee per order for shipping and handling. Because of their weight and size, 1,000–coin bags of quarters will be charged an additional fee of $7.95 per bag.