The United States Mint just released an image of its latest commemorative collector’s coin ― and it features a black woman.
On Thursday, the United States Mint and Treasury revealed the 2017 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin, commemorating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Mint. The coin has a depiction of Lady Liberty like we’ve never seen her: a black woman with twists in her hair, wearing a crown of stars.
Treasury & Mint officials unveiled the 2017 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin! https://t.co/HkfcPN5Enq #USMint225 @USTreasury pic.twitter.com/0ShGHPn5oF
— United States Mint (@usmint) January 12, 2017
Some social media users on Twitter questioned why Lady Liberty, who has traditionally been depicted as a white woman, appears as a woman of color on the new coin. The U.S. Mint explained on Twitter that the coin is part of a series to reflect America’s diversity:
It’s 1st in a series–designs depict an allegorical Liberty in a variety of contemp. forms reflecting U.S. diversity.
— United States Mint (@usmint) January 13, 2017
According to ABC News, 24-karat gold coin will be part of a series of future coins depicting Lady Liberty as Indian-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian American. The coins will be issued every two years.
Soon, another black woman will grace U.S. currency: Harriet Tubman is set to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill by 2020.