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District of Columbia Proposed Designs

Winning design chosen for the District of Columbia quarter

Finalist versions designed by The Mint for the District of Columbia quarter

Revised design narratives for the District of Columbia quarter

(The U.S. Mint rejected the three original narratives (see below) because they included the slogan "Taxation Without Representation." The Mint said the slogan is too controversial.)
Duke Ellington: Native Son
The three elements to be included in the design are:

a figure depicting Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, seated at or standing next to a whole or partial image of a grand piano, with the caption "Duke Ellington;"

the outline of the current boundaries of the District of Columbia, with or without one or both of the rivers (i.e. the design could include the outline of the three straight sides only, or the three straight sides plus the Anacostia River);

the inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL.

Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist, Orator, Statesman, Publisher
The three elements to be included in the design are:

a figure depicting Frederick Douglass, seated at or standing next to an image of his rolltop desk that sits at Cedar Hill, with the caption "Frederick Douglass;"

the outline of the current boundaries of the District of Columbia, with or without one or both of the rivers (i.e. the design could include the outline of the three straight sides only, or the three straight sides plus the Anacostia River);

the inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL.

Benjamin Banneker: Abolitionist, Mathematician, Astronomer
The elements to be included in the design are:

a standing figure of Benjamin Banneker, dressed in the style of an 18th Century gentleman, similar to the way he is depicted on the USPS 1980 15¢ stamp (tri-corner hat, coat with tails, ascot, leather boots or buckled shoes), with the caption "Benjamin Banneker,"

a Diamond shape representing the original outline of the District of Columbia - a square stood up on one corner - with or without the Potomac and Anacostia rivers indicated (we prefer to have the rivers, if they do not interfere with the artistry of the coin);

the inscription JUSTICE FOR ALL;

optional is an image of the surveyor's transit and equal altitude instrument

Original design narratives for the District of Columbia quarter

Duke Ellington: Native Son
The three elements to be included in the design are:

a figure depicting Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, seated at or standing next to a whole or partial image of a grand piano, with the caption "Duke Ellington;"

the outline of the current boundaries of the District of Columbia, with or without one or both of the rivers (i.e. the design could include the outline of the three straight sides only, or the three straight sides plus the Anacostia River);

the inscription is one of two phrases: "Taxation Without Representation" or "No Taxation Without Representation."

Stars and Bars
Filling the entire space is a graphic design, of the three stars atop two horizontal bars that stretch the width of the available space. The stars are evenly spaced, aligned with the center, far left, and far right edges of the bars, and the height of the stars is equal to the height of each bar. Inscribed within the graphic is one of two phrases: "Taxation Without Representation" or "No Taxation Without Representation."

Benjamin Banneker: Abolitionist, Mathematician, Scientist, Inventor
The three elements to be included in the design are:

a standing figure of Benjamin Banneker, dressed in the style of the 18th Century gentleman, as depicted on the USPS 1980 15¢ stamp (tri-corner hat, coat with tails, ascot, leather boots or buckled shoes), and the caption "Benjamin Banneker," with or without surveyor's instruments (e.g. tripod and looking glass);

a Diamond shape representing the original outline of the District of Columbia - a square stood up on one corner - with or without the Potomac and Anacostia rivers indicated (we prefer to have the rivers, if they do not interfere with the artistry of the coin);

the inscription is one of two phrases: "Taxation Without Representation" or "No Taxation Without Representation."

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