Women on money

Currency and Coins

Lady Liberty on U.S. coins has had similar designs since 1794. Different designers have posed her sitting, or have shown her profile.

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt asked his friend Augustus Saint–Gaudens to design a new $20 gold piece. His 1907 Striding Liberty design makes it the most beautiful U.S. Coin ever.

In 1979, the U.S. government honored Suffrage reformer Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) with a new dollar coin, minted 1979-1981, and in 1999. Its size, look, and milled edge confused it with the quarter.

In 2000, the U.S. government introduced a “gold” dollar honoring Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Sacagawea dollars circulated in 2000 and 2001; since then, they have been in Mint Sets.

On the coin, Sacagawea carries her son “Pompey” (Jean Baptiste Charbonneau) as she looks back to the exploring party as if to say, “Follow Me!” Designer Glenna Goodacre modeled Sacagawea on 22 year old Shoshone Randy’l Hedow Teton.