Overview:
• U.S. Mint Director Ventris Gibson celebrated Harriet Tubman's legacy with a series of commemorative coins benefiting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home, emphasizing diversity and inclusiveness in the coins.
By Dan Yount
The Cincinnati Herald
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center recently hosted U.S. Mint Director Ventris Gibson, PhD, for a pair of talks in celebration of the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin series. A portion of those commemorative coins sales will benefit the Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY.
The Freedom Center notes that Harriet Tubman spent her life actively pursuing freedom and social justice for all. As one of the most recognized figures of the Underground Railroad, she guided around 70 people to freedom during her time as a conductor. She then went on to serve as a nurse, scout, and even a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. After the Civil War, until her death in 1913, she lived a life committed to freedom, women’s suffrage, and dignity for all people. In recognition of the 2022 Bicentennial of her birth, this groundbreaking commemorative program showcases Harriet Tubman’s life reflected in unique designs in a gold, silver, and half-dollar coins.
In 2022, Congress passed Public law 117-163 known as the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act which “directs the U.S. Mint to issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and a half dollar clad coin.”
Gibson is the first person of color to lead the U.S. Mint in its 232-year history. In her previous position, she was the highest ranking woman at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
On July 19, the Freedom Center hosted Director Gibson for a fireside chat to discuss the importance of representation, equity and building generational wealth. On July 20, Gibson shared how the U.S. Mint is making history by adding one of history’s greatest freedom heroes to the pantheon of American heroes by etching her in gold and silver as part of the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin program.
Gibson celebrated Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy as she is honored in a series of commemorative coins, each representing a different period of her storied life: a clad half-dollar representing Tubman’s service as a military leader during the Civil War; a silver dollar celebrating her iconic role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad; and a $5 gold coin depicting Tubman as a humanitarian during the final five decades of her life.
Gibson said she champions the importance of learning Black history and the significance of highlighting Black women in history, while giving inspiration to younger generations.
Surcharges from the sale of each coin are equally split between the Freedom Center and The Harriet Tubman Home, supporting the mission of the organizations. Coins can be purchased at the Freedom Center or directly through the U.S. Mint online.
In discussing the U.S. Mint, which goes back to 1792, Gibson said the Mint has grown to become the largest, best mint in the world and encompasses five facilities, including mints in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, West Point, San Francisco and Denver, and the bullion depository at Fort Knox, which is the keeper of the country’s gold. The Mint manufactures billions of coins that are placed in circulation each year, with more than 13 billion new coins issued last year.
Gibson said her father advised her that trust is the hallmark of a leader, and in applying that advice she visits each facility two times a year, meeting with and hearing out the many highly skilled employees at each site. “My leadership style is to have our 1,700 employees get up each day looking forward to going to work,” she said.
Another goal, she said, is to develop more diversity in coin collector shows.
“However, it is most important people see their reflections in our coins,” she said, “and we have to show the diversity and inclusiveness of America in our coins.”
Thus, the Tubman coins.
“We have come too far as a people to not recognize Harriet Tubman and what she did for us,” she said.
What’s next for Gibson and the U.S. Mint? Having just issued the Gold Medals for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, they are preparing to mint commemorative coinage for the 250th Anniversary of the United States, which will be observed in 2026.