In 2009, the U.S. Mint issued 6 commemorative quarters as part of the DC and U.S. Territories quarters program.
The second U.S. Territory quarter features the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico — the U.S. territory that is located roughly 1,000 miles southeast of Florida.
Here’s everything you want to know about the Puerto Rico quarter…
Puerto Rico Quarter Facts
The Puerto Rico quarter was released on March 30, 2009.
It was released to the public in the same fashion as the 50 state quarters and the District of Columbia quarter.
Tens of millions of Puerto Rico quarters were released into circulation.
The Puerto Rico quarter and the other coins in the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program were legally approved thanks to H.R. 2764, a bill President George W. Bush signed into law December 26, 2007.
Puerto Rico Quarter Values & Errors
While the Puerto Rico quarter can be bought by the roll (in uncirculated grade) from banks for face value, the coin sells individually for between 50 cents and a $1 from most coin dealers.
Puerto Rico quarters are worth face value (25 cents) if worn.
At the time of this writing, there are no known, significant Puerto Rico quarter errors.
Puerto Rico Quarter Design
The Puerto Rico quarter features a picturesque view of an old sentry box and, behind it, the sea.
A hibiscus, which is Puerto Rico’s official flower, is seen to the right. The words Isla del Encanto (Isle of Enchantment) are inscribed amid the clouds which hover above the sea.
The beautiful reverse (tails side) was designed by U.S. Mint engraver and sculptor Joseph Menna. The obverse (heads side) was originally designed by John Flanagan and modified for the 50 States Quarters program by William Cousins.
Puerto Rico’s governor, Anibal Acevido-Vila, selected the design for the Puerto Rico quarter after viewing 2 possible reverse designs. On July 31, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury approved the final Puerto Rico quarter design.
Only one other design was considered for the Puerto Rico quarter. That design featured Palacio de Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Palace).
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
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