District Submits Proposed Design Narratives for New Quarter Coin

(Washington, DC) – With the District of Columbia’s new quarter coin set to debut in 2009, the District Government today submitted three design proposals to the United States Mint. All three proposals contain the words “Taxation Without Representation,” to reflect the District’s lack of congressional voting rights.

“The new quarter will teach people across the country about our city and its history,” said Mayor Fenty. “It’s my hope that those who don’t know about our disenfranchisement will soon learn about it when they’re paying a toll or buying a soda.”

The three quarter narratives depict the “Stars and Bars” of the District flag, which originated from the Washington family crest some 600 years ago; astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker; and world-renowned musician Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent Gray each appointed a member to the DC Quarter Design Committee. The committee collected about 350 suggestions by phone, email, fax and postal mail.  

Mayor Fenty sent a letter with the narratives today to Edmund C. Moy, director of the US Mint. The Mint will respond with a proposed design or designs for the new quarter, which the committee will review.

• View the entire process for developing a new coin


• View the Mayor's letter with the three narratives*


• View a memo about the appropriateness of using "Taxation Without Representation"*