It’s official: in 2020, a woman will be on the $10 bill. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew announced that a woman would be featured either alongside Alexander Hamilton, or all on her own. Before this, the only woman to have ever been featured solo on paper currency was Martha Washington. So who will it be this time? The jury is still out.
For some time, a nonprofit organization named Women on the $20s had been advocating replacing Andrew Jackson. The organization released the results of a poll last May that asked U.S. citizens which woman should replace Jackson. Over 350,000 people voted, and out of 15 female choices, Harriet Tubman was the clear winner with 34 percent of the vote. Tubman beat out Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martha Washington and Sojourner Truth, among others. While this poll was about the $20 and not the $10, it’s still indicative of public opinion.
But that’s not the only poll out there. A USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll of 1,000 Americans had former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt winning. The survey was open-ended, allowing respondents to answer with whomever they wanted. Eleanor Roosevelt got 8%, Rosa Parks 5%, Harriet Tubman 4%, Susan B. Anthony 3% and Betsy Ross and Maya Angelou were tied at 1%. The vast majority of those polled, 66%, had no opinion on the matter.
What makes this redesign particularly interesting is the fact that the general public can have a say in new U.S. currency. The U.S. Treasury has asked for public input on which woman should be on the new $10. Jack Lew gave a statement regarding the importance of the person featured on U.S. currency.
“America’s currency is a way for our nation to make a statement about who we are and what we stand for,” Lew said. “Our paper bills — and the images of great American leaders and symbols they depict — have long been a way for us to honor our past and express our values.”
Go to The New $10 to find out more, and use the hashtag #TheNew10 in social media to make your voice heard.
Like this post? Read First State-Run Bullion Depository Coming Soon?
Liberty Coin & Currency specializes in rare coins and currency. We are a family-owned business located in Portland and Vancouver. We are also gold, silver, diamond, currency and jewelry buyers. Visit us first for a free evaluation.
Like this post? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Google+.
