WASHINGTON - The commemorative quarter-dollar coin honoring the United States Virgin Islands was officially launched today in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.  United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart and United States Virgin Islands Governor John P. deJongh Jr. hosted the ceremony. 

"The United States Virgin Islands commemorative quarter-dollar coin reflects a rich culture steeped in the outstanding natural beauty of the three islands," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.

The United States Virgin Islands quarter was released into circulation on September 28.  The coin's reverse (tails side) design features an outline of the territory's three major islands.  The design also includes the Yellow Breast or Bananaquit, the official bird of the United States Virgin Islands; the Yellow Cedar or Yellow Elder, its official flower; and a Tyre Palm Tree.  Inscriptions on the coin's reverse are U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS and United in Pride and Hope.

Following the ceremony that included local entertainment, Brunhart and deJongh handed out new United States Virgin Islands quarters to the children under 18 in the crowd.  Adults lined up to exchange their currency for $10 rolls United States Virgin Islands quarters.

Last evening, Brunhart hosted a public coin forum at the University of the Virgin Islands.  The forum was a platform for collectors to share their ideas about future U.S. coinage.

The United States Mint is offering the United States Virgin Islands quarter 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 or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  The two-roll sets and 100-coin bags are $32.95 each and the 1,000-coin bags are $309.95 each.

The United States Virgin Islands quarter is the fifth coin in the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.  The final coin in the program, honoring the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, will be released in late November.  Free United States Mint lesson plans about the United States Virgin Islands quarter may be downloaded at http://www.usmint.gov/kids.  A digital image of the United States Virgin Islands quarter is available at http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?action=Photo#2009DCTerri.

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.