A big step for America is coming in an unexpected way. 

For the first time in our nation’s history, the United States Mint and Treasury announced a Lady Liberty coin to be released for its 225th anniversary. A black woman will be represented on the coin.

She, along with this change, wears a crown of stars while keeping the toga-reminiscent dress. The 24k gold coin is simply stunning.

The US Mint and Treasury announced it would be releasing a range of coins depicting people of color from different backgrounds, from Asian-Americans to Hispanic-Americans to Indian-Americans.

It’s about time America stops representing us as one demographic and starts representing our diversity.

The US Treasury acknowledged that it’s always been aware of the importance of representative currency. It’s good to see the US finally acting on this knowledge.

The mint’s principal deputy director made a statement saying how the coin was meant to honor our American heritage.

Currently, the Sacagawea coin is the only coin in circulation with a woman of color depicted on it.

I think this is the beginning of very good progress for the US. It goes without saying that women of color are particularly underrepresented in virtually all forms of media, so to see them acknowledged in this way makes me very hopeful.

The coin has yet to receive the backlash previous attempts at monetary representation received. When word got out about Harriet Tubman possibly being on the $20 bill, the reaction was quite different and significantly more intense.

It is interesting that the new coin has yet to receive this kind of backlash, and I choose to believe it is a sign of progress.

It’s not the biggest step entirely though as it isn’t a coin that we will see much. It’s an anniversary coin and there won’t be many made.

While it’s nice that it will exist, it is not as though she will be the new face of the nickel or dime. But it’s still interesting the coin is going to be minted. 

The current political climate only makes it more interesting.