2009-P Guam Quarter
CVC & Collectables presents the 2009-P Guam Quarter, a Philadelphia-mint DC & U.S. Territories issue featuring the island outline, a traditional flying proa canoe, and a latte stone with the Chamorro legend “Guåhan I Tano’ ManChamorro.”
Coin Highlights
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Maker: United States Mint – Philadelphia (“P” mintmark)
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Date: 2009
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Program: DC & U.S. Territories Quarters – third design of the 2009 series (Guam)
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Metal: Copper–nickel clad (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel)
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Weight: 5.67 g
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Diameter / Edge: 24.26 mm; 1.75 mm thick; reeded edge
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Mintage (P business strike): 45,000,000 coins
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Obverse: George Washington portrait by John Flanagan (modified by William Cousins), with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, QUARTER DOLLAR, and P mintmark.
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Reverse: Map of Guam with inscription “Guåhan I Tano’ ManChamorro” (“Guam – Land of the Chamorro”), a traditional flying proa outrigger canoe at upper left, and a latte stone (ancient pillar foundation) at lower right; legend GUAM and E PLURIBUS UNUM 2009.
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Designers: Obverse – William Cousins after John Flanagan; Reverse – David Westwood (design) and Jim Licaretz (sculptor).
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Grade: As described in the listing title; please see photos for the exact coin offered.
Historical Significance
The Guam quarter, released May 26, 2009, is the third coin in the DC & U.S. Territories Quarters Program, bridging the gap between the 50 State Quarters and America the Beautiful series. The reverse honors Guam’s indigenous Chamorro culture and strategic Pacific location: the flying proa reflects advanced seafaring traditions, while the latte stone recalls the stone-pillared foundations of ancient villages.
The Chamorro phrase “Guåhan I Tano’ ManChamorro” emphasizes local language and identity on a circulating U.S. coin, recognizing Guam’s role as a U.S. territory shaped by centuries of Spanish rule, its capture by American forces in 1898, and its continuing importance as a Western Pacific outpost.
Collectibility
With a modest mintage of 45 million—far lower than most State Quarters—the 2009-P Guam issue is a key piece for modern Washington quarter specialists and complete DC & Territories sets. Collectors seek lustrous Uncirculated examples with sharp island relief, clean lettering on the Chamorro inscription, and well-defined canoe and latte details.
Error and variety hunters actively search Guam quarters for die chips, cracks through the island outline, filled letters, and other striking anomalies documented on this design, which can command strong premiums when found in high grade and certified.
