Three commemorative coins featuring abolitionist and civil rights activist Harriet Tubman were released this past January. These coins paint the story of Harriet Tubman’s lifelong efforts to help enslaved individuals in America. The coins will be under the Harriet Tubman commemorative coin program, which includes $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins.
The three coins represent the three stages of Tubman’s life and work. The silver coins reflect her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, the half-dollar illustrates her work during the Civil War and the gold coins highlight her life after the Civil War during her later years.
The coin comes after over a decade of debate over replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman. After several failed attempts to change the currency, president Joe Biden signed legislation to manufacture the three set Tubman coins in Aug. 2022. Politicians, as well as many people across the nation, believe the coins will create a more open and honest narrative of American history.
Anthony Hall ’25 is a leader of the Black Student Alliance at GA who believes these coins mark the beginning of a movement towards not just more representation in our currency, but a spark for education in telling a more truthful narrative nationwide.
“I believe the way it was implemented both celebrates the beacon of hope Harriet Tubman was for African American slaves who searched for freedom while also recognizing the vast history and possible stigma attached to that time period and the treatment of African Americans,” Hall said.
Mr. Roxie Bratton, Upper School History teacher, teaches an African American history elective at GA that emphasizes the importance of diversity through history both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mr. Bratton described the often overlooked role Tubman played in the historical turning points involving the institution of slavery. He detailed a letter written from Fredrick Douglass to Tubman describing how Douglass admired her work in the Underground Railroad. While Douglass had the protection of being a well-renowned public speaker, she resisted oppressive powers differently.
“A lot of it was done under the cloak of darkness, sneaking people from one place to another,” Mr. Bratton said. “And in some cases, she was being pursued by an enslaver who wanted to not only recapture her, but punish her and others that she was helping to escape.”
“The more diversity we bring to the plate, it doesn’t dilute the strength and the genius and purpose and the vision of our country. It just makes it better,” Mr. Bratton said. “But it’s hard to get people to understand that the more ingredients you put into the dish, it’s not going to make it worse— it makes it better.”
GA’s Black Student Alliance holds weekly meetings for students to discuss the importance of diversity within the GA community and beyond.
“I hope to see more diversity just overall because I feel as though you know we’re used to seeing white men in certain fields and on certain things,” Brie Snell ’25 said regarding the new coins. “So to see a woman of color on a coin or potentially a bill will help promote more diversity.”
The creation of the Harriet Tubman coin collection is the beginning of a movement to depict a wider diversity of historical figures on U.S currency.
“I hope that this commemorative coin also leads to bigger things and more concrete recognition, such as Harriet Tubman being the face on the $20 bill,” Hall said. “Ultimately, the more people that these initiatives can reach, and the more people can learn about the importance of these historical figures, the more we are able to honor and educate on the struggles and triumphs throughout history.”
“The more we can tell stories through the images of various individuals in the country’s history,” Mr. Bratton said, “the more complete story we will have about the complexities of our country.”
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/04/1222896091/harriet-tubman-us-mint-new-commemorative-coin
https://catalog.usmint.gov/harriet-tubman-commemorative-coin/
https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/harriet-tubman