SEATTLE — An iconic Seattle-born musician will be the face of a special $1 coin representing Washington state.

Jimi Hendrix, widely regarded as the greatest electric guitarist of all time, will be Washington’s submission to the U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office announced Monday. The program pays tribute to innovations and innovators from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the five permanently inhabited U.S. territories by issuing four new $1 coins every year through 2032. Washington’s coin is set to be released in 2029, according to a news release.

Ferguson selected Hendrix for his work in revolutionizing the electric guitar, among five finalists approved by an advisory committee that reviewed public submissions, generated ideas and prepared the state’s submission to the U.S. Mint. The names and concepts of the other finalists are Billy Frank Jr. for treaty rights innovation; Indigenous ecosystem management and reef-net fishing; Bruce Lee for martial arts innovation; and Medic One, Medic Two and paramedic innovation, according to the release.

“The Innovation Coin program is a unique opportunity to honor our history and share Washington’s story,” Ferguson said in the release. “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.”

The state previously honored Hendrix last year with a Medal of Merit. Before Hendrix moved to London, he grew up in Seattle, where he attended Garfield High School and performed his first musical gig. The artist had a short but explosive career that spanned three critically acclaimed studio albums and pioneered a new electric guitar style marked by fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion, according to Hendrix’s official website. He and his band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Hendrix died in 1970 at age 27.

After selecting Hendrix to represent the state on the $1 coin, Ferguson’s office said the next steps will include developing a design, consulting with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and a public review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. The U.S. Treasury Secretary will choose the final design.

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