Governor Christine Gregoire yesterday unveiled the design for Washington’s commemorative quarter.

“Washington has a vested interest in the quarter — all quarters already have one side that honors Washington with a profile of our first president,” said Governor Gregoire. “With the minting of our design, these quarters will be 100 percent Washington.”

The new quarter design — a king salmon breaching the water of a lake with Mount Rainier in the background — was recommended by the Washington State Quarter Advisory Commission to Governor Gregoire after it led an online public poll with 45 percent of votes cast.

Commission chair First Mike noted that Mount Rainier is an internationally recognized icon for Washington and acts as a symbolic bridge between the eastern and western parts of the state. The salmon is representative of the native heritage of Washington state.

The design will be submitted to the United States Treasury for minting and production.