OK, we're not exactly impartial. But, as soon as we heard that the U.S. Mint has asked Gov, Deval Patrick to select one preferred and three alternate Massachusetts sites for consideration to be minted on the back of a U.S. quarter (The Times, Saturday, Feb. 14), the first that came to mind was Gloucester's Fishermen's Memorial.

For one thing, on the national scale, the fishing and seafood industry is viewed as a quintessential staple of Massachusetts and New England. For another, the Man at the Wheel would indeed bring a stately presence to the back of any U.S. coin — far more than some of the other potential sites.

The Statehouse? Same as those in a lot of other states. Calvin Coolidge House in Northampton? Who would recognize that? House of the Seven Gables? Too dark. The Alewife Brook Parkway in Cambridge? You've got to be kidding, but, yes, those really are some of the competing subjects — right alongside historic (?) Al's Diner in Chicopee and the old Springfield Armory.

The U.S. Mint is carrying out the program as a followup to the 50 states' quarters project, and plans to release five new quarter designs each year over the next decade. So Massachusetts should get its turn. Wouldn't it be nice if it were taken by Gloucester's powerful Man at the Wheel?

You can help this Cape Ann icon get its fair due by voting for the Fishermen's Memorial between now and Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. Go to the main Web page of the governor's office through mass.gov, go to the section referring to America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter, then scroll down to the listings for Essex County to find the Fishermen's Memorial.

Let's hope Gloucester's most recognizable and powerful symbol gets the support it deserves.