Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #72 - Actual Women On Classic US Commemorative Coins

Classic-era US commemorative coins often included the depiction of a woman within their designs. In many cases, however, the female figure was allegorical/mythological (e.g., Liberty on the 1926 American Sesquicentennial gold Quarter Eagle, Columbia on the 1915 Panama-Pacific silver half dollar, Victory on the 1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial silver half dollars, etc.).

Disregarding these coins for the present discussion, we find that actual/non-allegorical women have been presented on just three classic-era commemorative coins:

1. 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Quarter Dollar




The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Queen Isabella of Spain. The coin's reverse depicts a female allegorical figure representing Women's Industry. The coin makes the list because of Queen Isabella.


2. 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial Half Dollar




The reverse of the coin depicts the "Pioneer Memorial" statue which presents a pioneer family with the mother holding her infant child. (The figures depicted in the statue are meant to be representative of a real-life pioneer family vs. specific, named individuals; the gender of the infant is unspecified in the official description of the statue.)


3. 1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial Half Dollar




The reverse of the Roanoke Colony half dollar presents two women - a standing Eleanor Dare and, cradled in her arms, the newborn Virginia (the daughter of Eleanor and Ananias Dare).


So, four actual women on three coins. If the female allegorical/mythological figures are counted, 11 additional coin designs need to be added (possibly 12 depending on the position you take on the female mermaid vs. male triton debate regarding the 1935 Hudson, NY Sesquicentennial half dollar).

- Classic US Commemorative Coins Depicting Allegorical/Mythological Figures


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on each of the coins listed here, see: Commems Collection.