U.S. Mint Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart said the 76 million pieces of CNMI qu
arter are worth $19 million.
“Those coins have been delivered to the Federal Reserve bank system and now they are on their way to circulation to the banks throughout the territories and the rest of the country,” Brunhart said in an interview after the launching ceremony yesterday for the CNMI quarter at American Memorial Park.
“This is particularly significant because, remember, a coin would last between 30 to 40 years, so the American people would be reminded every day whenever they use the coin,” he added.
The CNMI quarter is the sixth and the last coin to be launched as part of the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarter Program.
The U.S. Mint circulated quarters for the District of Columbia on Jan. 26; Puerto Rico, March 30; Guam, May 26; American Samoa, July 26; and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 28.
“This [CNMI quarter] is the grand finale,” said Brunhart. “Coin collectors are very excited about the 50-state and the territories coin program.”
Brunhart, who retired as a U.S. Navy captain after 30 years in the military, was stationed on Saipan and Tinian in 1978.
“The growth and development since then is absolutely fantastic,” he said.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the CNMI people should cherish the coin that shows their rich indigenous heritage and their political union with the U.S.
“This is a historical event. This adds a lot more to our history,” the governor said.
The governor exchanged $100 worth of $10 rolls of CNMI quarters which he said he would give out as Christmas presents to his friends.
Hundreds of students attended the launching and were given commemorative quarters.
Other residents also showed up to exchange their bills for the new CNMI coin.
Some came during their lunch hour but were told to go to the banks instead because the ceremony was over.
