We have said many times that the criteria used in selecting the list for Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest Women on Coins Series was based on a few very important things. There were four different categories considered, including real women, goddesses, allegorical women who represent an idea or concept, and women in art. We have hit on every one of those categories of women so far as we weave our way through the list for our blog series. Today, we focus on the allegorical category as author Ron Guth helps us to break down this top 40 pick and her importance in the world.
#38 – Education
Representing teaching, knowledge, and the conveyance of wisdom, the female figure of Education has been commemorated many times on coins across the world. The United States Mint commemorated the allegorical figure in 1996, producing a silver dollar recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution. The reverse of the $1 coin features a female sitting on top of the Earth while holding a torch and a scroll that showcases the words “Art, History, and Science.”
In Egypt, a copper-nickel 10-piastre coin and silver one-pound coins were struck in 1979. It is said that they were either struck for Teachers Day or National Education Day. On the reverse of the coin, two teachers are depicted educating children. One of the teachers is a tiny figure representing a female.
A medal surfaced in 2013 featuring the Statue of Liberty holding a lamp of knowledge. The National Humanities Medal is handed out every year by the President of the United States to those deserving of the honor as they represent their various disciplines.
The Educational bank notes are a series that are quite popular and sought after by paper money collectors. The United States printed the series in 1896 as each note depicts allegorical female figures who represent different subjects. The $1 note features the theme History Instructing Youth on the face.
According to Guth, the Smithsonian silver dollar is easy to come across. The Egyptian coins are also easily accessible to collectors.