The United States Mint has released the official, high-resolution images of the 2024 Harriet Tubman commemorative coins. The Harriett Tubman Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law in July 2022 by President Biden and authorized the Mint to produce the commemoratives. Specifically, the law calls for the minting of 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 Half Dollar clad commemorative coins to be produced to honor the bicentennial of Tubman. The bill also calls for the coin’s design to “be emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. At least one obverse design shall bear the image of Harriet Tubman”. The commemorative timing coincides with Tubman’s bicentennial birth in 2022. However, the legislation for the coin was not introduced until this year.
Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
$5 Gold Coin Obverse
Designer: Chris Costello
Sculptor: Joseph Menna
The obverse (heads) design features a portrait of Harriet Tubman in her years following the Civil War, looking confidently into the distance and towards the future. Inscriptions include “HARRIET TUBMAN,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2024.”
$5 Gold Coin Reverse
Designer: Ben Sowards
Sculptor: Eric David Custer
The reverse (tails) design depicts both arms of an individual firmly clasping one arm of another individual, symbolizing the aid and care that Harriet Tubman offered to others throughout her life. Encircling the arms are inscriptions of Harriet Tubman’s seven core values, including “FAITH,” “FREEDOM,” “FAMILY,” “COMMUNITY,” SELF-DETERMINATION,” “SOCIAL JUSTICE,” and “EQUALITY.” Additional inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “$5,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
$1 Silver Coin Obverse
Designer: Beth Zaiken
Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill
The obverse design depicts Harriet Tubman offering her hand to the viewer with an expression that challenges the viewer to seize the opportunity for freedom. Inscriptions include “HARRIET TUBMAN,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2024.”
$1 Silver Coin Reverse
Designer: Beth Zaiken
Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell
The reverse design depicts silhouettes crossing a bridge created by a pair of clasped hands. In the sky, the Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star, which forms the “O” in the word “OF.” Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
Half Dollar Clad Coin Obverse
Designer: Don Everhart
Sculptor: Renata Gordon
The obverse design depicts Harriet Tubman, who distinguished herself as the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, the Combahee River Raid, which resulted in more than 700 enslaved persons in South Carolina being freed. In the background, two Civil War-era boats represent the raid. Inscriptions include “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “2024,” and “HARRIET TUBMAN.”
Half Dollar Clad Coin Reverse
Designer: Tom Hipschen
Sculptor: John P. McGraw
The reverse design depicts Harriet Tubman holding a spyglass in front of a row of Civil War-era tents, symbolizing her work as a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Inscriptions describing her contributions include “CIVIL WAR,” “NURSE,” “SCOUT,” “SPY,” and “COMBAHEE RIVER RAID LEADER.” Additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “HALF DOLLAR.”
The Harriet Tubman commemoratives go on sale on January 4, 2024 on the Mint’s site.