We had the scoop last week, but today the U.S. Mint confirmed that Duke Ellington will indeed grace the District’s commemorative quarter set to hit the streets on January 26, 2009.

The announcement also included the designs for the five U.S. territories that also received their own 25-cent pieces as part of the popular 50 State Quarters Program — Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

It seems only appropriate to rename the program, doesn’t it? “50 State, One District and Five Territories Quarters Program” is a little wordy, but at least it’s accurate.