US Virgin Islands Quarter

2009 US Virgin Islands Quarter Proof - click on image to enlarge

General Coin Information

The US Virgin Islands Quarter, with a release date of September 28, 2009, marks the fifth quarter to be offered as part of the US Mint's D.C. and American Territories Quarters series. This series follows the successful state quarter series that were available previously from the mint.

The US Virgin Islands were originally settled by the tribes of the Ciboney, Carib, and Arawaks. Named by Christopher Columbis in 1493 for Saint Ursula and her virgin followers, the islands were under the control of several European powers for over three hundred years.

In 1754 the islands became royal Danish colonies and were named the Danish-Westindian islands. They remained economically attractive holdings due to the sugarcane that was grown and harvested there with the help of slave labor. In the mid 1800's, slavery was outlawed, and the islands suffered hard times.

With the onset of World War I, the United States approached Denmark with a desire to purchase the islands. The US wanted to insure they did not become submarine bases for Germany. Denmark, for its part, was willing to sell the islands not only because it needed the money, but also because many felt if they were invaded by Germany, they would lose them anyways. Thus, in 1917, the Virgin Islands became a territory of the United States.

Tourism is the major economic activity of the islands with over 2 million visitors a year. They enjoy white sand beaches and an extremely temperate climate.

Also available in 2009 as part of this series are the District of Columbia quarter, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico quarter , the Guam quarter, the American Samoa quarter and the Northern Mariana Islands quarter. All will be minted in quantities to meet demand.

Obverse Design

Designed by William Cousins, based on the original design by John Flanagan, a portrait of George Washington is circled with the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "QUARTER DOLLAR". Also shown is "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the mintmark.

Reverse Design

An outline of the three major islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John) of the US Virgin Islands is featured on the reverse of the quarter. Also shown is the offical bird of the territory the yellow breast, sometimes called the banana quit, as well as the yellow cedar or yellow elder, the official flower. A Tyre Palm Tree appears along with the inscriptions, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS and United in Pride and Hope, the official motto of the territory. It was sculpted by Joseph Menna.