U.S. Mint
Department of the Treasury
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 869010
Plano, TX 75086-9010
Dear Sir or Madam:
I have very mixed feelings about your recent announcement of a new series of dollar coins. You will be issuing coins bearing portraits of each of our deceased presidents. This could make history lessons much more fun for young collectors. Indeed it will be a valuable learning tool for all Americans. I’m sure I could not name most of our past presidents, even out of order!
I am concerned, though, by the fact that these coins nudge out the one venue women have had on U.S. money. Susan B. Anthony reigned on the dollar coin for years, and was replaced by another legendary woman, Sacagawea. Now these ladies must make way for a parade of forgotten presidents.
This feels somewhat symbolic of women’s role in American history. Women held onto a token place in the world of currency, but will now have to step aside. The mint will reportedly have to continue manufacturing the coin depicting the Native American woman “by law.” Ten-dollar coins depicting the presidents’ wives will be made, but apparently these will be for collectors and not for general circulation, thus relegating the women to the status of being prized and collected, kept within the domestic sphere rather than participating in the world of commerce.
Perhaps it is better, though, to leave the world of money to the men. Women have been trafficked and used as currency themselves quite enough. Let our figureheads simply guide the ships at sea and our bodies decorate the walls of the Met. At least until there’s a woman president.
Truly,
Liz Mann




