Have you seen the 2024 Harriet Tubman coins?
For decades, there has been a push to honor Harriet Tubman on American currency. And this year, it finally happened.
Just not in the way it was previously planned.
Back in 2016, the Treasury Department announced plans to place Tubman’s portrait on the $20 Federal Reserve Note. But just three years later, plans had changed.
A year before the new design was to be unveiled, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated that the $20 bill would continue to feature 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson. It would still be redesigned, but primarily for anti-counterfeiting purposes.
However, when one door closes another opens.
On August 3, 2022, President Biden signed H.R. 1842 into law. Known as the “Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act,” it calls for creation and sale of commemorative coins honoring the 200th anniversary of her birth.
The coins are scheduled to be released in January 2024. So by the time you read this, you may already have one in your collection. But if not, don’t worry. We’ll look at all three Harriet Tubman coins in a moment.
But first, let’s take a look at the woman who inspired them…
Meet Harriet Tubman, the American “Moses”
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland during March of 1822. In 1849, at age 27, she escaped to Pennsylvania with help from the Underground Railroad.
However, achieving her own liberty wasn’t enough.
Tubman strongly believed all people deserved to be free. She worked as a “conductor” for the Underground Railroad. And over the next ten years, Tubman made approximately 13 trips back to Maryland and led at least 70 enslaved people escape to freedom.
When the Civil War erupted between the states, she enlisted as a cook and a nurse in the Union Army. She also worked as an Army scout and spy, and recruited newly freed men into regiments of African American soldiers.
Harriet Tubman was also the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War. In 1863, she led the Combahee River Raid, which freed more than 700 South Carolina slaves.
During her life, she helped free so many people, she earned the nickname “Moses” after the prophet who led the Hebrew tribes out of slavery in Egypt.
After the Civil War ended, Tubman continued to shine as a beacon of liberty. She helped provide care for newly freed slaves. And she gave speeches supporting women’s suffrage, civil rights and access to health care for everyone.
Harriet Tubman’s life was characterized by a fierce, unwavering determination and active pursuit of freedom in every aspect of American life. It’s only fitting she is now honored on America’s currency.
So let’s take a look at the three new 2024 Harriet Tubman coins…
2024-W $5 Gold Harriet Tubman Coin
The first Harriet Tubman commemorative coin is from the West Point Mint. Struck in 90% gold and weighing .243 Troy oz., its intrinsic value far exceeds its legal tender face value of five dollars.
The obverse bears a close-up portrait of Tubman in the years following the Civil War, looking confidently into the future. The reverse features two arms of one person firmly clasping the arm of another, symbolizing the aid and care she gave others throughout her life. Surrounding the arms are Tubman’s seven core values:
- FAITH
- FREEDOM,
- FAMILY
- COMMUNITY
- SELF-DETERMINATION
- SOCIAL JUSTICE
- EQUALITY
In all, it’s a striking coin that evokes a powerful message. And while its price tag places it out of reach for many, it’s a perfect piece for the discerning collector. If you want one, don’t wait. The maximum mintage is 50,000 pieces, including Proofs.
2024-P Harriet Tubman Silver Dollar
Struck by the Philadelphia Mint, the second Harriet Tubman coin has a face value of one dollar. And like its $5 gold counterpart, its face value is much higher due to its 99.9% pure silver content.
The obverse of this commemorative silver dollar depicts a younger Tubman. She is shown offering her hand, wearing an expression that challenges the viewer to seize the opportunity for freedom.
The reverse shows silhouettes of seven people crossing a bridge formed by a pair of clasped hands. In the sky above, the Big Dipper points to the North Star – which appears as the “O” in “OF” in the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
It’s another striking coin with powerful symbolism. But again, it has a limited mintage. No more than 400,000 pieces will be produced, including Proofs. So don’t wait to add it to your collection.
2024-S Harriet Tubman Clad Half Dollar
The final Harriet Tubman coin hails from the prestigious San Francisco Mint. This one is struck in a clad composition of 8.33% nickel and 91.67% copper, making it more affordable to collectors on tighter budgets.
This time, the coin’s designs honor Tubman’s multiple roles during the Civil War.
The obverse honors her role as leader of the Combahee River Raid that brought liberty to over 700 enslaved people. She is shown in the foreground with crossed arms, with two Civil War-era boats in the background.
The reverse honors her work as scout and spy during the war. It depicts her standing with a spyglass before a row of Civil-War era tents.
All three Harriet Tubman coins are beautiful pieces. They do a fantastic job depicting the life and accomplishments of this remarkable woman who changed and saved the lives of so many people.
And what’s more, the coins help support her legacy. Each coin is sold with a surcharge paid to the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Which will you add to your collection?
So what do you think about the 2024 Harriet Tubman coins? Do they do her justice? And which, if any, are you planning to add to your collection?
If you want to be notified when they become available, go to www.LittletonCoin.com and sign up for email alerts. Or click here to request a FREE Littleton catalog that’s filled with coins, paper money and collecting supplies!
Until next time…
Happy Collecting!
PS: If you like collecting U.S. commemoratives, check out Littleton’s Modern Commemoratives Club. It’s the fun, easy way to build your collection! Here’s the link: https://www.littletoncoin.com/shop/modern-commemorative-coin-club-clbcohk-wc
Sources
Peralta, Eyder & Horsley, Scott. “Treasury Decides To Put Harriet Tubman On $20 Bill.” npr.org. April 20, 2016. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/20/474983292/treasury-decides-to-put-harriet-tubman-on-20-bill
Naylor, Brian. ” Harriet Tubman On The $20 Bill? Not During The Trump Administration.” npr.org. May 22, 2019. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/22/725801691/harriet-tubman-on-the-20-bill-not-during-the-trump-administration
Harriet Tubman Byway. “About Harriet Tubman.” Accessed December 20, 2023. https://harriettubmanbyway.org/harriet-tubman/#:~:text=Tubman%2C%20at%20the%20time%20of,she%20was%2027%20years%20old
Gilkes, Paul. “Designs revealed for 2024 Tubman commemorative coins.” Coin World. July 27, 2023. https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/designs-revealed-for-2024-tubman-commemorative-coins
