American Samoa – known as the heart of Polynesia – is a group of five islands and two coral atolls in the South Pacific, approximately 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii and 2,700 miles northeast of Australia. Under the Treaty of Berlin in 1899, the United Kingdom and Germany gave the United States rights and claims over the area, and it officially became a United States territory in 1929 when Congress ratified deeds of cession dating back to 1900 and 1904. The American Samoa quarter reverse design depicts the ava bowl ("tanoa"), whisk and staff in the foreground with a coconut tree on the shore in the background. The ava bowl is used to make the special ceremonial drink for island chiefs and guests during important events. The ava ceremony is considered the most significant traditional event in Samoan culture. The whisk and staff symbolize the rank of the Samoan orator delivering speeches during these gatherings. I finish this cut out with a Sterling Silver Pendant Bail which will fit 3mm or smaller necklaces.