Duke Ellington Will Be The First African American on US Coin

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by Lamar Tyler | on February 24th, 2009 | 9 comments

From CNN:

Jazz legend Duke Ellington is the first African American to appear on an American coin, the U.S. Mint says in introducing the latest in its line of state-themed quarters.

The District of Columbia commemorative quarter showing Ellington playing the piano will be introduced by U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy at a news conference Tuesday at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Ellington won the honor by a vote of D.C. residents, beating out abolitionist Frederick Douglas and astronomer Benjamin Banneker.

Ellington was born in the District and composed more than 3,000 songs, including the notable “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” a song that helped usher in the swing era of jazz.

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About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (9)

Zare Tuesday - 24 / 02 / 2009 Reply

Come on here people! Being black was the least of Dukes talents. He was one of the greatest musicians of all time!!!!!! Well however you look at it, Duke deserves recognitian.
Princess Sparkle Pony Tuesday - 24 / 02 / 2009 Reply

Actually, Duke Ellington will be the seventh African American to appear on a US coin. Booker T. Washington, Crispus Attucks, George Washington Carver and three (anonymous) African American patriots beat him to it. Still very cool, though! Princess Sparkle Ponys last blog post..US Mint Unfamiliar with its Own Trivia
- Mrsslisan Tuesday - 08 / 02 / 2011 Reply
  
  Duke Ellington is the first black African American to appear on a circulating coin, this coin is for use. the other African American coins or commemorative coins. please read the facts.
TheDad Tuesday - 24 / 02 / 2009 Reply

@Zare- no one said being black was his greatest talent? And that's not why he was chosen to be on the coin either. @Princess Sparkle Pony - I didn't know that. What US coins were they on? TheDads last blog post..Videos We Love - New Heavy D Song!!
Princess Sparkle Pony Tuesday - 24 / 02 / 2009 Reply

Check out the link in my comment. They weren't as widely circulated as the state quarters, but they were still official US coins. As a DC resident, though, I'm thrilled by the choice of Duke Ellington and will probably have "Caravan" stuck in my head all day long. Princess Sparkle Ponys last blog post..US Mint Unfamiliar with its Own Trivia
TheDad Tuesday - 24 / 02 / 2009 Reply

@ Princess Sparkle Pony - Great catch. I stand corrected even though I took CNN's word for it :-) I encourage our readers to check our your page for the real low down! TheDads last blog post..Videos We Love - New Heavy D Song!!
Wtf? Wednesday - 25 / 02 / 2009 Reply

This is silly. Putting Duke Ellington on the back of a coin won't change my attitude towards this country.
coin update Wednesday - 25 / 02 / 2009 Reply

In addition to Booker T. Washington, Crispus Attucks, and George Washington Carver, there was also Jackie Robinson. He was on $5 Gold Commemorative and $1 Silver Commemorative Coins released in 1997.
TheDad Wednesday - 25 / 02 / 2009 Reply

The scoop is this is the first coin that will be in circulation. The earlier coins were commemorative pieces.