In December 1997, America's most adventurous coin program became a reality when President Clinton signed legislation authorizing the U.S. Mint to issue the innovative 50 State Quarters collection. Starting in January 1999, each of the 50 states in the Union will be honored on a unique Quarter Dollar commemorative coin. Five states were featured each year, based on the order in which they ratified the Constitution or became states. On the front, otherwise known as the obverse, the mintmarks can be found to the right of George Washington's portrait. The small "S" indicates San Francisco Mint.
The United States Virgin Islands Quarter is the fifth of six coins issued in 2009 in the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters series. The United States Virgin Islands consists of three major islands (Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix) and about 50 small islands and cays about 90 miles east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands are to the east of the United States Virgin Islands. The design known as "Virgin Islands Beauty" shows a map, the official bird (yellow breast or banana quit), the official flower (yellow cedar or yellow elder), a tyre palm tree, and the official motto ("United in Hope and Pride").
Each coin is encapsulated - please keep the coins in their protective coin holder to maintain their condition.
