Quarter honoring the Code Talkers being considered

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Two bits doesn't buy much these days, but maybe it's enough to pay respect to some long overlooked heroes.

Next year, the State of Arizona will become one of the last states to unveil its own unique quarter, and one image still under consideration is the Navajo Code Talker coin. Each state has a quarter honoring its own history, with the coins being minted based on the order of the state's admission to the union. Arizona, which became a state in 1912, will become the 48th state to reveal its new coin, ahead of Alaska and Hawaii.

Gov. Janet Napolitano set up a 22-member commission in 2005 to sift through more than a thousand suggested designs. The commission cut the designs to the final five depciting the Grand Canyon, desert scenes and the saguaro cactus.

The possibility of a Code Talker coin has some people almost giddy.

"You bet I've been screaming on the hills out here in Eastern Navajo, I'm excited that the Code Talkers are finally getting the recognition that they deserve," said Bess Seschillie, who has been waging an e-mail campaign to make people aware of the possible Code Talker coin.

"The Navajo Code Talkers are an element of pride for every Navajo," said Jeff Begay, regional commander of the National American Indian Veterans Association. "They have brought us much recognition as a people, and also to the fact that many Indians volunteered for military service and made major contributions to preserve the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution."

Though the coin would honor the Navajo Code Talkers, it might serve to remind the country that other tribes such as the Hopi, Sioux, Choctaw and Commanche also had soldiers who used their native language as code talkers, Begay said.

"They need recognition, as well," he added.

But Seschillie didn't like the idea of a public vote. The decision to honor the Code Talkers should have already been made, she said.

"This is a great conversation piece. People are truly excited that the coin will be distributed throughout America, that this quarter will outshine the Sacagawea."

However, Begay isn't holding his breath on this honor happening. In Arizona, the Navajos are a minority and even if they all voted, it wouldn't be enough to guarantee the Code Talker design would be chosen.

"I think there are too many non-Indians in Arizona, who are basically unaware of the Code Talkers and would probably vote for a cactus or the Grand Canyon," said Begay.

The quarter dollar coin will turn 108 next year, when the Arizona coin is announced. The quarter coin was first struck in 1796 and proved less than a success. Slightly more than 6,000 quarters were made that first year, and no new ones struck until 1804.

Between 1808 and 1814, no new quarters were made. Perhaps the quarter's lack of success can be attributed to a lack of 18th century vending machines.

In 1932, a special quarter, with a likeness of George Washington, was released to honor to first president's 200th birthday; this version proved extremely popular and is still the modern design.

According to the U.S. Mint, the 50 states quarter campaign has been extremely popular, bringing in nearly $8 million to the U.S. Treasury. In fact, numerous Web sites offer collectors the chance to buy the state quarters for a dollar apiece.

Napolitano has the final say in which design is selected.