DC Quarter Strikes Harmonic Chord

Washington, D.C. - United States Mint Director Ed Moy joined Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton today for a press conference at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History to celebrate the release of the District of Columbia commemorative quarter-dollar coin. The coin's reverse (tails) bears the image of legendary composer, musician and District of Columbia native Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington.

"Like many great Americans who succeed in what they love doing, Duke Ellington was equal parts talent, hard work, passion and perseverance," said Director Moy. "When Americans look at this coin, they will remember the man and his art, as well as the place where both were born and nurtured - the District of Columbia."

National Museum of American History Director Brent Glass, National Museum of African American History and Culture Director Lonnie Bunch and members of the Ellington family were on hand to celebrate the release of the quarter struck in honor of the District of Columbia. One of the highlights included a performance by the Duke Ellington High School Jazz Band.

Following the press conference, Norton and Moy handed out newly minted District of Columbia quarters to school children in attendance.

The District of Columbia quarter, released to the American public January 26, is the first coin in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program. Inscriptions on the reverse are DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DUKE ELLINGTON and JUSTICE FOR ALL, the district's motto. The coin's reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

The District of Columbia quarter press conference was held in conjunction with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's Scurlock Exhibit, currently on display, which features photographs that present a vivid portrait of black Washington, D.C. The exhibit includes a picture of Duke Ellington, sheet music and other artifacts acquired from the Ellington estate.

Virginians First to Get Harrison Presidential Dollar Coins

Charles City, Virginia - As the Nation observed Presidents Day, the United States Mint launched the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin in a ceremony today at the Berkeley Plantation, the former President's home. Participants at the event were the first in the Nation to get the new $1 coin, which goes into circulation on February 19, 2009.

"We honor William Henry Harrison today, our Nation's ninth President," United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart told the crowd.

The crowd watched as thousands of Harrison Presidential $1 Coins spilled onto a velvet cloth, officially launching the latest coin in the United States Mint's Presidential $1 Coin Program. Following the ceremony, children 18 years old or younger received a newly minted $1 coin, and adults exchanged their currency for rolls of the coin.

The obverse (heads) of the Harrison Presidential $1 Coin features a dramatic portrait of the former President by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joe Menna. The inscription IN GOD WE TRUST, formerly featured on the edge of Presidential $1 Coins, is now featured on the obverse. It is the first Presidential $1 Coin to feature the inscription on the obverse.

The coin's reverse (tails), by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, features a striking image of the Statue of Liberty. Incused on the coin's edge are the inscriptions 2009, E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the mintmark of origin (P or D for Philadelphia or Denver).

William Henry Harrison was born into a politically prominent family. His father, a three-term governor of Virginia, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Following three years of college, Harrison's father sent him to study medicine with a leading physician. Unenthusiastic about medicine, he instead pursued a military career after his father's death. Harrison distinguished himself in the Battle of Tippecanoe against American Indians led by Shawnee chief Tecumseh-earning the nickname "Old Tippecanoe"-and in the War of 1812. During his Army career, Harrison also served as secretary of the Northwest Territory and governor of the Indiana Territory. He also served in the U.S. Senate, in the U.S. House of Representatives, in the Ohio State Senate, and as U.S. minister to Columbia.

In 1840, the Whig Party chose Harrison to run against incumbent President Martin Van Buren. "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" (future President John Tyler was his vice presidential candidate) was the first slogan used in a presidential campaign. Harrison defeated Van Buren in a landslide, and at 68 years old, became the oldest president to serve in the office up to that point.

Former President Harrison served the shortest term in office of any president to date. He died of pneumonia about one month after giving the longest inaugural speech in history. He was the first president to die in office.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue Presidential $1 Coins to honor the United States Presidents in the order in which they served. Four new designs will be released annually. The William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin is the ninth coin in the program.

Mint Launches New Lincoln Cent

Hodgenville, Kentucky - The United States Mint launched the first redesigned one-cent coin (penny) in 50 years in a ceremony today - the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The redesigned Lincoln penny, released into circulation today, features a log cabin on the coin's reverse (tails), emblematic of Lincoln's humble roots.

"The new Lincoln cent is a milestone moment for the United States Mint and for our country," said United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart. "The coin is a tribute to a humble man who rose to great heights living by principles of honesty, integrity and loyalty, principles that never go out of fashion. More importantly, Americans will forever hold dear Lincoln's legacy - an enduring Nation, united in the pursuit of equality for all."

The log cabin design is the first of four new designs Americans will see on the reverse of the penny this year. Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE CENT, as well as the inscription 1809, the year President Lincoln was born. The coin's reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

The obverse (heads) of the redesigned Lincoln penny will continue to bear sculptor Victor David Brenner's likeness of President Lincoln, introduced in 1909. Inscriptions on the obverse are IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 2009.

The United States Mint also will issue numismatic versions of the four redesigned pennies with exactly the same metallic content as the 1909 coin (95 percent copper, five percent tin and zinc). These coins will be minted in proof and uncirculated condition, and will be included in the United States Mint's annual product offerings.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-145) authorized the United States Mint to issue four different pennies throughout 2009 to recognize the bicentennial anniversary of President Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln penny. The reverse designs featured on the series of circulating coins are emblematic of four periods, or themes, in the life of Abraham Lincoln: his birth and early childhood in Kentucky; his formative years in Indiana; his professional life in Illinois; and his presidency in Washington, D.C. The coins will be issued in approximately three-month intervals. At the conclusion of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin Program, the one-cent coin will feature a reverse design emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America.