The United States Mint will officially launch the Northern Mariana Islands Quarter on December 10, 2009. The sixth and final quarter in the DC & US Territories Quarters Program was first released into circulation on November 30, 2009. For some coin releases, the official launch ceremony is held on a different date than the circulation release.
Attending the ceremony will be United States Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart, Governor Benigno R. Fitial, First Lady Josie Fitial, and Lt. Governor Eloy Inos. The ceremony will be held at American Memorial Park Amphitheater, Garapan, Sapipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 AM local time.
The Mistress of Ceremonies will be CNMI Quarter Commission member Catherine Perry Anderson. A free Northern Mariana Islands Quarter will be given to more than 1,000 children expected to attend the ceremony. Other attendees will have the opportunity to exchange currency for rolls of the new coins at face value.
On the evening before the launch, a public coin form will be held from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at American Memorial Park Visitor's Center. The public and news media are invited to the forum where they can learn about US Mint coin programs and ask questions about future coinage.
