JAZZ GREAT ELLINGTON COMMEMORATED ON AMERICAN COIN

Last updated: Thursday, February 26, 2009

JAZZ GREAT ELLINGTON COMMEMORATED ON AMERICAN COIN

Late jazz legend DUKE ELLINGTON has made history as the first African American to have his image featured on a circulating U.S. coin.

Duke Ellington wax figure. Madame Tussauds held a gala to open its new wax museum in the nation's capitol, Washington DC, USA - 04.10.07

Officials at the U.S. Mint unveiled Ellington as their star of choice to appear on the quarter-dollar on Tuesday (24Feb09).

Carla Coolman, a spokeswomen for the U.S. Mint, says, "He's the first African American to feature solo and the second African American to feature on a circulating coin.

"The first African American on a circulating coin was York, a slave who was depicted on a Missouri quarter alongside explorers Lewis and Clark. There have been other African Americans on commemorative coins."

U.S. Mint director Ed Moy adds, "Like many great Americans who succeed in what they love doing, Duke Ellington was equal parts talent, hard work, passion and perseverance.

"When Americans look at this coin, they will remember the man and his art, as well as the place where both were born and nurtured - the District of Columbia."

Ellington died in 1974, aged 75.

Source: WENN

| Thursday, February 26, 2009

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JAZZ GREAT ELLINGTON COMMEMORATED ON AMERICAN COIN

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