United States Mint Launches American Samoa Quarter in Pago Pago

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United
States Mint celebrated the launching of the American Samoa commemorative
quarter-dollar coin yesterday at the Samoana High School Gym in Pago Pago, the
territory's capital city. United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart
and American Samoa Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono led the celebration of the
fourth coin in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters
Program.

"This beautiful quarter-dollar coin honoring American Samoa's vibrant
traditional culture and rugged beauty is a welcome addition to American
coinage," Brunhart told the crowd.

The reverse (tails side) of the American Samoa quarter, sculpted by United
States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers, features the ava bowl
("tanoa"), whisk and staff in the foreground, with the shore featured in the
background. The ava ceremony is considered the most significant traditional
event in the Samoan culture. Inscribed on the coin's reverse are AMERICAN
SAMOA and SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA, which means "Samoa, God is First."

Following the ceremony, Tulafono and Brunhart distributed new American Samoa
quarters to children 18 years old and younger to commemorate the event.
Adults exchanged their currency for $10 rolls of American Samoa quarters.

On Wednesday evening, Brunhart hosted a collector's coin forum, where he
discussed United States Mint programs. Audience members shared their ideas
about what they would like to see on U.S. coinage in the future.

The United States Mint is offering the American Samoa quarter for sale in
two-roll sets (40 coins per roll) containing one roll each from the United
States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver, and in bags of 100 and
1,000 coins. To place an order, visit the United States Mint Web site at
http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The 2009
American Samoa Quarter Two-Roll Sets and the American Samoa 100-Coin Bags are
$32.95 each, and the American Samoa 1,000-Coins Bags are $309.95 each.

For a digital image of the American Samoa quarter, go to:
http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009DCTerri.

Free United States Mint lesson plans about the American Samoa quarter may be
downloaded at:
www.usmint.gov/kids.

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole
manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an
adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and
commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and
commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum
bullion coins.

SOURCE United States Mint

Jana Prewitt of United States Mint, +1-202-354-7222