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 Replies: 91 / Views: 4,596 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12250 Posts |
Over the first 150+ years of United States coinage, no African-American appeared on a legal tender piece. Since 1946, however, multiple African-Americans have appeared on US coins: Classic-era commemorative coins, Modern-era commemorative coins and circulating thematic coins plus a number of medals. I thought it might be interesting to have a look at the various depictions of these important members of US society. Prominent African-Americans have also appeared on multiple World coins (e.g., Martin Luther King - United Arab Emirates - 1970). Feel free to add these to this thread if you have them! I'll kick things off by posting the two design types of the Classic-Era of US commemorative coins: Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
06/07/2025 11:19 am
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12250 Posts |
1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar  The Booker T. Washington (BTW) Half Dollar (1946-51) was more of a "lifetime achievement" commemorative coin honoring the man's accomplishments as a teacher, leader and spokesman for the US African-American community vs. a coin that marked a particular anniversary of an important date/event in his life. The coin was issued to help raise funds to support the creation of a permanent memorial to BTW's life -- the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial in Virginia.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12250 Posts |
1951 George Washington Carver - Booker T Washington Half Dollar  The George Washington Carver - Booker T Washington Half Dollar (1951-54)honors the legacies of two prominent African Americans. Booker T. Washington was a teacher, speaker, author, promoter, school administrator and tireless advocate for equality for African-Americans. He was not overtly aggressive with his approach - something that angered some other civil rights activists of the day - preferring, instead, to work toward equality through better education, workplace advancement and increased economic opportunities for African-Americans plus personal financial contributions in support of civil rights made quietly behind the scenes. George Washington Carver was a teacher and advocate for racial harmony. In addition, he was a dedicated scientist, inventor, leader and man of service to his fellow man. Carver created over 100 products made from peanuts, and also created dozens that made use of sweet potatoes. He introduced and promoted the concept of crop rotation to help farmers maintain nutrient-rich soil (after seeing the negative impact of repeated plantings of cotton). The George Washington Carver - BTW Half Dollar coin bill specified that funds raised by their sale were to be used by Carver National Monument Foundation in Missouri and the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial in Virginia to "oppose the spread of communism among Negroes" in a manner each deemed appropriate.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7184 Posts |
1997 Jackie Robinson $5 commemorative   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Nice additions so far.  Errers and Varietys.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9352 Posts |
2020-D USA $1 - American Innovation Series. Septima Poinsette Clark  The design depicts Ms. Clark marching with three young African American students who carry books and an American flag, representing that education and literacy among oppressed people are necessary for empowerment and enjoyment of civil rights. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Nice addition, triggersmob.
Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
Great idea commems |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9352 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9352 Posts |
2009-D USA - Territories quarter - District of Columbia Duke Ellington - Musician, seated at grand piano holding sheet music  |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12250 Posts |
@triggersmob: Thanks for the adds - you're checking off the entries on the "circulating thematic coins" list nicely!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
06/08/2025 10:47 am
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12250 Posts |
1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollar  The 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots commemorative Silver Dollar was authorized to recognize "Black Revolutionary War patriots and the 275th anniversary of the birth of the first Black Revolutionary War patriot, Crispus Attucks, who was the first American colonist killed by British troops during the Revolutionary period..." Surcharges collected from sales of the coin were to be given to the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation for the "purpose of establishing an endowment to support the construction of a Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial" in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the Memorial was never built and the Foundation disbanded after receiving (and spending) ~$1 million in surcharge funds. I've posted about a "Coin and Stamp Set" for this coin, you can read it here: 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots - Coin & Stamp Set
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Nice recent additions. Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
very nice Trig and Commem
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
how about Bessie Coleman? I have a circulating quarter of this, but the Silver Proof shows the design best... Quote:
Elizabeth Coleman (January 26, 1892 - April 30, 1926) was an early American civil aviator. She was the first African-American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot license Source - Wikipedia 2023 Bessie Coleman - 25 Cents   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73579 Posts |
Nice addition, Dearborn.
Errers and Varietys.
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Replies: 91 / Views: 4,596 |
Posted 06/07/2025 11:18 am
