At a time when race relations and gender equality seem to be at the forefront of all discussions, the United States Mint has responded with a statement of its own, creating a coin featuring Lady Liberty as a black woman. Set to be released in April, the 24-karat gold coin will serve as the first time Lady Liberty has been represented by a non-white figure in American currency. The monumental piece is intended to not only mark the 225th anniversary of the Mint's coin production but also "reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States," according to the Mint.
While the token itself is worth $100, it's expected to sell for nearly 10 times its face value, with the final cost dependent upon the market price of gold. However, it's unlikely that you'll be making your next purchase with the symbolic Green Goddess, as only 100,000 will be produced. The initial batch will be reserved exclusively for collectors, so it may take some time before you see them in circulation (if ever). The Mint also announced that they have future plans to release similar coins, namely Lady Liberty as Asian, Hispanic and Indian, on a biannual basis.
In an interview with The New York Times, Rhett Jeppson, the principal deputy director of the U.S. Mint, said that "part of [their] intent was to honor tradition and heritage" while sparking conversations regarding the idea of liberty. Jeppson is expecting the coin to sell well, and all profits will returned to the U.S. Treasury.
In April 2016, Treasury Secretary, Jacob J. Lew announced that the Mint was planning to replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 with Harriet Tubman—a move that was very well received by the public.
