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We may not yet be a state, but we've finally got our own commemorative quarter.
The U.S. Mint today rolled out the District's own 25-cent piece as part of the popular 50 State Quarters Program. Bearing the image of jazz legend Duke Ellington, the quarter was years in the making, requiring an act of Congress and a pitched battle between city officials and the Mint over whether "Taxation without Representation" would appear on the coin. (To our consternation, it doesn't.)
If you're planning on running to your local bank to get a coin or two, don't -- the Mint informed us that most banks won't get a hold of the commemorative piece until next week at least. Collectors can order a two-roll set or a 100-coin bag for $32.95 plus shipping online (or a 1000-coin bag for $309.95, more details here), or you can head down to 801 9th Street NW and use the Mint's handy change machine to get the quarters $1 or $5 at a time. The Mint's sales desks in the 9th Street lobby and at Union Station should have rolls of the quarters available starting tomorrow.
We've got a few we're willing to part with. Just send a check for $5 $10 $250 to DCist and we'll drop Duke in the mail for you.
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Reverse auction time! I'll drop a duke in the mail for $200 and throw in a pair of signed, vinyl undies worn by Liberace himself.
In that photo, it looks more like Dr. Octagon than Duke Ellington. Which would be way cooler, despite no real connection to the District of Columbia.
I think you mean Dr. Octopus, Dr. Octogon being the mortal enemy of Captain Pythagoras and the Euclidian Kid.
Let's see, NY has the statue of Liberty, NC has the first flight, Kentucky with a thorougbred horse, yet the best DC can come up with is Duke Ellington??? Are you kidding me? When I think of DC, I don't think about politicis, or the White House, or the United States Capitol. Nope, I think about The Duke!! Chalk this one up to another reason why DC should NOT be a state.
Why would we put images of the federal city on our state quarter when those are on virtually every other piece of currency we have? I'm happy that there's something particular to our local culture and not a lifeless monument. Duke Ellington is a giant of American art and culture. I, for one, am proud he called he DC home and is on our "state" quarter.
The stupidity of the DC government in picking a quarter, if they were not going to get the motto "Taxation Without Representation" they could have picked Walter Washington, the city's first mayor under home rule. When the quarter came out, people would want to know more about Mayor Washington and would have given the city a chance to talk about home rule and representation issues. But that concept required thinking, which this government does not appear capable of doing!
Who is Duke Ellington and why should I care about him? Are there any other individuals on the quarters that I missed? Usually it's some stupid mountain or some wild life from the state. Who's Duke Ellington? Was he the architect of DC? I thought that guy was French. Ellington does not sound French to me.
The stupidity of the DC government in picking a quarter, if they were not going to get the motto "Taxation Without Representation" they could have picked Walter Washington, the city's first mayor under home rule. When the quarter came out, people would want to know more about Mayor Washington and would have given the city a chance to talk about home rule and representation issues. But that concept required thinking, which this government does not appear capable of doing!
I just wish I had a quarter every time someone used "DC government" and "stupidity" in the same sentence. Hi-yoooooooo!
Looks like the Abominable Dr. Phibes
The US Mint did not approve the Taxation without Representation motto which is why it doesn't appear. Also the House is holding a hearing today on a Rep. for DC. It would look kind of silly if we got representation at the same time that a quarter with that motto was released. There are several state quarters with individuals on them. The first one produced, Delaware, had Caesar Rodney. If you don't know who Duke is, then that's unfortunate. i suggest you look him up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_ellington
OK I looked up Duke Ellington and now it all makes sense to put him on a quarter from the great non state of DC. Why not Eubie Blake, or Liberace, or Marion Barry?
I realize that DC isn't exactly the center of intellectualism but really, a piano player who likes white suits?