Governor Ferguson chooses Jimi Hendrix for Washington’s U.S. Mint Innovation Coin


On November 9, 2026

Governor Bob Ferguson speaks at the 2025 Medal of Honor & Medal of Merit ceremony at the state Capitol on March 18, 2025. Jimi Hendrix was honored with the Medal of Merit at the ceremony.

Program honors innovation from each state, D.C. and U.S. territories with $1 coins

Born in Seattle in 1942, Jimi Hendrix revolutionized electric guitar. He attended Horace Mann Elementary School, Washington Junior High and Garfield High School. His first musical gig was in Seattle. Hendrix was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 along with his band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

OLYMPIA – Governor Bob Ferguson today announced he has chosen Jimi Hendrix as Washington’s submission to the U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program.

The program, first launched by the Mint in 2019, honors innovation and innovators from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories by issuing four new $1 coins every year through 2032. Washington state is set for a 2029 release.

Governor Ferguson designated Washington Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti as the state’s official liaison to the U.S. Mint. Pellicciotti assembled an Innovation Coin Advisory Committee of state leaders in history and innovation to review public submissions, generate additional ideas, collaborate on concepts and formalize the state’s submission to the Mint. The committee unanimously approved five finalists for Governor Ferguson to choose from.

“Washington is one of the most innovative states in the nation,” Governor Ferguson said. “The finalists were all strong examples of this. The Innovation Coin program is a unique opportunity to honor our history and share Washington’s story. Picking just one example from the most innovative state in the nation was difficult, but Jimi Hendrix’s historic innovation on guitar and his deep roots in Washington make him a great choice to represent our state.”

Born in Seattle in 1942, Jimi Hendrix revolutionized electric guitar. He attended Horace Mann Elementary School, Washington Junior High and Garfield High School. His first musical gig was in Seattle. Hendrix was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 along with his band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Source: governor.wa.gov for the complete article

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