Coin of the Month

Uncovering America's Heritage... Coin by Coin

American Samoa Quarter

I picked the American Samoa quarter as the coin of the month for July.  This quarter has helped me learn a lot about American Samoa.  To tell the truth, I didn't even know American Samoa was a US territory until I heard about the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program!

Most of the people who live on these islands are native Samoans.  They all speak Samoan, the national language, but many also speak English.  They are considered American nationals, but not American citizens.  Still, they have a representative in Congress.

The office of Samoa's Governor says they're planning a big celebration at the end of July.  People from the United States Mint are going there for a ceremony to help the American Samoa quarter make its first public appearance.

The people of Samoa helped to create the design, and they are very proud to know that this coin will remind everyone about their nation.  Maybe someone will hear about American Samoa for the first time, like I did!

The pictures on the coin tell us a bit about life among the Samoans.  I learned a lot about them on the 2009 Quarters page.  You can too!  Just click on the link.

—Plinky