WASHINGTON — Collectors may begin placing their orders for bags and rolls of commemorative quarter–dollar coins honoring the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 30, 2009, at noon Eastern Time (ET). The bags and rolls contain general circulating coins struck on the production floors at the United States Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia.
The bags of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands quarter–dollars are packaged in 100–coin bags priced at $32.95 each and 1,000–coin bags priced at $309.95 each. Each bag has a tag identifying the mint of origin and “Northern Mariana Islands.” The two–roll sets, priced at $32.95 per set, include one roll each of 40 coins bearing the “D” and “P” mint marks. The distinctive packaging displays the mint of origin, “Northern Mariana Islands” and the dollar value of its contents. Both options display the genuine United States Mint logo.
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands quarter–dollar, the final coin in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program, is scheduled for release to the Federal Reserve Bank on November 30. The coin’s reverse (tails side) design represents the wealth of the islands in its natural resources of land, air and sea. Near the shore stands a large limestone latte, the supporting column of ancient indigenous Chamorro structures. A canoe of the indigenous Carolinians represents the people’s seafaring skills across vast distances. Two white fairy tern birds fly in characteristic synchrony overhead. A Carolinian mwar (head lei) composed of plumeria, langilang (Ylang Ylang), angagha (peacock flower) and teibwo (Pacific Basil) borders the bottom of the design near the inscription NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS. The mwar is symbolic of the virtues of honor and respect.
The United States Mint will accept orders for the bags and rolls of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands quarters at its secure Web site, http://www.usmint.gov, or at the toll–free number, 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Please add $4.95 for shipping and handling to all domestic orders. Because of their size and weight, an additional charge of $7.95 per bag will be applied to orders for 1,000–quarter bags.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on–sale date and time of November 30, 2009, noon ET, shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored. For more information, please review the United States Mint’s Frequently Asked Questions, Answer ID #175.