Women Featured on Gold and Paper Money

Peter Rexford
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

Over the past six months or so, investors or collectors have either been wringing their hands or clapping them depending on how they see the precious metals market. In just the past 18 months, gold had dropped in value from $1,400 to $1,100. Just three years ago it was north of $1,800.

Those who have waited for prices to drop before buying are surely happy. They may even be anticipating a greater drop. Those who bought in the past two or three years may now be looking to purchase more at a lower price and cost-average their investment. Or, they are panicking.

Either way, both investors and coin collectors have reason to be happy about the lower prices because the U.S. Mint is issuing an impressive new high-relief pure gold one-ounce coin. As the term "high relief" suggests, the design incorporates an especially deep impression of the image giving it extra dimension and a pronounced tactile element.
Updated: Thu Jul 23, 2015

Over the past six months or so, investors or collectors have either been wringing their hands or clapping them depending on how they see the precious metals market. In just the past 18 months, gold had dropped in value from $1,400 to $1,100. Just three years ago it was north of $1,800.

Those who have waited for prices to drop before buying are surely happy. They may even be anticipating a greater drop. Those who bought in the past two or three years may now be looking to purchase more at a lower price and cost-average their investment. Or, they are panicking.

Either way, both investors and coin collectors have reason to be happy about the lower prices because the U.S. Mint is issuing an impressive new high-relief pure gold one-ounce coin. As the term "high relief" suggests, the design incorporates an especially deep impression of the image giving it extra dimension and a pronounced tactile element.

The image on the front of the coin features a modernized allegorical image of Lady Liberty wearing a crown of leaves holding a flowing American flag and a torch. Above her is the word "LIBERTY' and along the bottom, "2015 ? IN GOD WE TRUST."

The reverse shows an impressive eagle in flight carrying what appears to be an olive branch in its talons. Inscribed on the back is "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ? E PLUIBUS UNUM ? 1 OZ. ? .9999 FINE GOLD ? ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS."

Naturally, the pure gold coin is worth far more than $100. That is merely the denomination it bears to qualify as legal tender. The actual sales price of the specially proof struck coin will be closer to $1,500 each housed in a black, satin lined presentation case with Certificate of Authenticity. (Note: The Mint adjusts the price of gold coins up or down every Wednesday based on London Spot.)

A total of just 50,000 of the new one-ounce coins have been authorized to be struck, with a household limit of 50. More information and ordering are available at www.USMint.gov or by calling toll free to: 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

While an allegorical female may be gracing the newest gold coin, much recent discussion has centered on who the first woman will be on U.S. paper money. As I wrote about a while back, Martha Washington technically won that contest appearing on an 1881 $1 silver certificate. What's being proposed now is a more permanent image that might last for decades.

Originally, Andrew Jackson was slated to be replaced on the circulating $20 bill. In an unofficial online poll, Harriet Tubman was selected as a possible and justifiable replacement to the slave owner.

Now, the focus of a modified bill with a female on it has shifted to the $10 note currently bearing the image of Alexander Hamilton. It's an interesting twist considering that Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury and a founding father — an appropriate person to appear on money. It's said he will remain in some form.

Just what woman will get the nod for the new note is unknown, but everyone has a chance to let their opinion be known. To do so, log onto the website of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), which is appropriately: www.MoneyFactory.gov. On the home page click, "Share Your Ideas About the New $10." You can log your own thoughts about who should appear on the revised note.

While there, the BEP is still selling uncut $10 bills available in sheets of four, eight or 16 bills attached together. With a change guaranteed in the next few years, those sheets will become interesting conversation pieces and potential collectibles. Also for sale are uncut sheets of one, two, five, 20, 50 and 100-dollar bills.

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the new High Relief one-ounce $100 pure gold Liberty coin has been sent with this column.