2009-D Puerto Rico Quarter | D.C. & U.S. Territories

The Puerto Rico Quarter was released on March 30, 2009. This marked the second release of the 2009 DC & US Territories Quarter Program.

The reverse design features a view of the sea from a sentry box in Old San Juan. Pictured at right is the hibiscus. The inscriptions read "Puerto Rico," "Isla del Encanto" (translated: Isle of Enchantment), "E Pluribus Unum," and the date. The reverse was designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna.

Another proposed design included a depiction of the Governor's residence, the Palacio de Santa Catalina. This is the oldest government building in the Americas which has remained in continuous use. A second proposed design depicted the Arecibo Observatory. This enormous telescope is the largest single aperture telescope ever constructed. The selection of the Old San Juan design was announced by the US Mint on December 15, 2008.