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American Samoa quarter is now out
Monday,
July 27, 2009
American Samoa is attracting national press with the circulation today of the American Samoa Quarter. No local celebration has been planned to mark the launch of the territory’s own coin.
One story about the release of the American Samoa quarter states that American Samoans have fought in most of America's wars, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Marines stationed on the islands during World War II outnumbered the residents, but the only conflict there during the war involved an incident of shelling in Pago Pago harbor by a Japanese submarine.
The design of the reverse of the quarter, sculpted by Charles Vickers, includes images that also appear on the official seal of American Samoa: an ava bowl or "tanoa," a fly whisk and a staff. The ava bowl is used to make a special drink for island chiefs and guests during important ceremonies, while the whisk and staff are symbols of office for the speaker at such events.
In the background is a coconut tree on a tropical beach. The American Samoan motto is also shown, "Samoa Muamua Le Atua" -- "Samoa, God is First."
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