Latest News from the US Mint

As with most organisations involved in the production of currency, the US Mint continues to regularly release new products in both the circulating and commemorative spheres. In addition to this, the Mint is currently seeking applicants for appointment to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), and has announced its participation in this year’s World’s Fair of Money®.

These activities are summarised here.

2024 AWQ Program Designs Unveiled

The Mint has announced the designs for the third year of the American Woman Quarters™ (AWQ) Program, which is a four-year programme that involves the release of up to five new reverse designs a year of the US quarter dollar coin – with each celebrating the accomplishments and contributions made by pioneering American women.

Following consultation with the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, the US Secretary of the Treasury has selected the women to be honoured and has approved the final coin designs.

The women set to be honoured are:

• Rev Dr Pauli Murray – poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest

• Patsy Takemoto Mink – the first woman of colour to serve in Congress

• Dr Mary Edwards Walker – Civil War era surgeon, women’s rights and dress reform advocate

• Celia Cruz – Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular Latin artists of the twentieth century

• Zitkala-Ša – writer, composer, educator, and political activist.

As with all other quarters in this series, the obverse side of each coin will depict a portrait of George Washington, originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark Washington’s 200th birthday.

Each coin is scheduled for release in January, March, June, August, and October next year, respectively. More details of the coin designs will follow in future issues of Coin & Mint News™, as each AWQ is released.

Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Program

In addition to the designs for the AWQ 2024 Program, the US Mint has also announced designs for the upcoming Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Program.

The designs were unveiled during the opening ceremony for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion’s Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society Quadrennial Conference, in New Orleans, alongside representatives from the Harriet Tubman Home and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Three designs will feature on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin, in recognition of the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth – with the coins scheduled for release next year.

Prominent elements of the designs include various portraits of Harriet Tubman (who was a 19th century American abolitionist and social activist), together with inscriptions of her seven core values, an image of clasped hands, Civil War-era imagery including boat and tents, and silhouettes of people helping each other cross a bridge, with the Big Dipper constellation pointing to the North Star in the background.

Further information about the commemorative programme and the designs can be found here.

Applicants Sought for Appointment to the CCAC

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) was established in 2003 by an Act of Congress to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the themes and designs of all US coins and medals. These include both circulating and commemorative coins, bullion and medals. The committee also makes proposals for what should be commemorated and mintage levels.

The US Mint is currently seeking applicants for an appointment to the CCAC as a member representing the interests of the general public – with a term on the committee lasting for four years. Three of the 11 seats on the CCAC are reserved for individuals representing public interests.

The deadline for submissions is 11 September 2023, and the Mint will review all applications and forward recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury for consideration.

The ANA’s 2023 World’s Fair of Money

United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson is scheduled to participate in this year’s American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, which takes place in Pittsburgh next week.

The Director will participate in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the opening day, with the event planned to feature over 1,200 dealers and world mints as part of its exhibition. The Coin of the Year awards ceremony is also scheduled to take place during the event.