After a one-year hiatus from issuing new commemoratives, the United States Mint kicks off the new year with six coins available for order as part of the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program.
The bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth is celebrated on each of the new coins, recounting her life story in three distinct phases. The available products include proof and uncirculated $5 gold coins, proof and uncirculated silver dollars, and proof and uncirculated clad half-dollars. Additionally, a three-coin proof set is offered.
Harriet Tubman was born a slave in 1822 but escaped to freedom twenty-seven years later. Despite the incredible danger, she returned to the South multiple times to help guide other slaves to free states. During the American Civil War, Tubman worked as a cook and nurse for the Union Army before becoming a scout and spy. Following the war, she continued to fight against social injustice.
Congress authorized the commemoratives through the passage of Public Law 117-163, known as the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. Under this act, surcharges are set at $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $5 per half-dollar. The U.S. Mint will collect these surcharges on the sale of each coin. After covering associated costs, the proceeds will be divided between two organizations: the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in Auburn, New York.
"The Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program will celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman," said United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. "We hope this program will assist both the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in accomplishing and advancing their missions."
No commemorative coin programs were authorized last year. Prior to 2023, new commemoratives had been an annual staple for decades, with the last "gap" year occurring in 1985. The years 1982-1984 marked the beginning of the modern commemorative coin era.
Later this year, the U.S. Mint will also introduce products as part of the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program, paying tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of American soldiers and civilians during World War II.
Coin Designs
Designs for the new commemorative coins depict different phases of Tubman’s life. The silver dollars portray her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, the half dollars highlight her contributions during the Civil War, and the $5 gold coins depict her life after the Civil War and in later years.
The obverse (heads side) of the silver dollar depicts Harriet Tubman extending her hand to the viewer, with an expression that challenges the viewer to embrace the opportunity for freedom.
For the reverse (tails side) of the silver dollars, there is an artistic depiction of a bridge created by clasped hands, with multiple silhouettes shown crossing it. Above, the Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star, which forms the ‘O’ in the word ‘OF’ in the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Additional inscriptions include "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "ONE DOLLAR." The design was created by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by Craig A. Campbell.
On the obverse side of the half-dollar, Tubman is depicted as the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War, known as the Combahee River Raid, which resulted in the liberation of more than 700 enslaved persons. Behind her, two Civil War-era boats are depicted. The inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "2024," and "HARRIET TUBMAN." The design was created by Don Everhart and sculpted by Renata Gordon."
The reverse side of the half-dollar also features Tubman’s Civil War contributions, depicting her with a spyglass in front of military tents. Inscriptions include "CIVIL WAR," "NURSE," "SCOUT," "SPY," and "COMBAHEE RIVER RAID LEADER." Additional inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "HALF DOLLAR." The reverse design was created by Tom Hipschen with sculptor John P. McGraw.
On the obverse side of the $5 gold coins, a more elderly portrait of Tubman is shown, representing her years following the Civil War. Inscriptions include "HARRIET TUBMAN," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2024." The designer of record is Chris Costello, with Joseph Menna as the sculptor.
Reverses of the $5 gold coins depict two individuals, with one person’s arm firmly clasping the arm of another. This symbolizes the assistance and compassion that Harriet Tubman provided to others throughout her life. Tubman’s seven core values encircle the arms, including "FAITH," "FREEDOM," "FAMILY," "COMMUNITY," SELF-DETERMINATION," "SOCIAL JUSTICE," and "EQUALITY." Additional inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$5," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Ben Sowards created the design, with Eric David Custer responsible for the sculpture.
Coin Specifications
| $5 Gold | Silver Dollar | 50c | |
| Finish | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated | Proof and Uncirculated |
| Mintage Maximums | 50,000 | 400,000 | 750,000 |
| Composition | 90% Gold, 6% Silver, Balance Copper |
99.9% Silver | 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper |
| Weight | 8.359 Grams | 26.73 Grams | 11.34 Grams |
| Diameter | 0.850 Inches | 1.500 Inches | 1.205 Inches |
| Edge | Reeded | Reeded | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark | West Point – W | Philadelphia – P | San Francisco – S (Proof) Denver – D (Uncirculated) |
Coin Prices
Introductory pricing has been set for the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coins during the first 30 days of their sales. These prices are as follows: $82 for the proof silver dollar, $77 for the uncirculated silver dollar, $49 for the proof half-dollar, and $47 for the uncirculated half-dollar. After thirty days, each of these prices will go up by $5.
Regarding the gold coins, their pricing is determined on a weekly basis using the U.S. Mint’s precious metal coin pricing matrix, minus the $5 savings, with the proof opening at $718 and the uncirculated at $708. They also come with an initial household order limit of one, whereas there is no such limit for the silver dollars or half-dollars.
Three-Coin Proof Set
In addition to the individual coins, the U.S. Mint is offering a special three-coin set containing the proof editions of the $5 gold, silver dollar and half-dollar. Opening at $836.25, the product limit for the set is just 5,000 with an initial household order limit of one.
250 Certificates Signed by U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson
As a side note, Director Gibson has personally signed 250 Certificates of Authenticity for the three-coin proof set. These COAs will be placed randomly into unmarked sets and will be included when shipping commences.
Ordering
Starting at noon EST, all Harriet Tubman coins may be ordered directly from the United States Mint from their online store of commemoratives.
Orders are expected to begin shipping on Feb. 12.
Hurry up and get in line while the targeted demographic is at work. The half dollar got her looking like she is rocking a goatee
Dazed, did you get your gold coin(s) of Tubman? I just got on the site and was extremely worried that they would all be sold out, what with 30 minutes of buying activity having transpired, but alas, they were still available. I was going to buy the proof $5 gold coin, for just $718, but didn’t because I thought the mint was giving away a 2017 1oz gold liberty coin with your purchase.
I’ll pass even though we all know before anyone sees the actual coin it’ll make CotY. They couldn’t fire her, she’d sue for way more than the 900k they are giving her for hush money. Her buddy Obama went dark on his support for her. Strange how that works. Also. Tried taking my in law on post. Thanks to open border, now requires a more stringent background check. 14 day deep dive despite 2 government sponsors vouch for him. Used to just show passport and waved in. Then turned into a quick HS data check to verify visa creds. Now… Read more »
D&C,
On the obverse of the HT commemorative silver dollar, why is she panhandling with her hand out in the begging position?! I have never liked that design they picked for that side. It just doesn’t look right…”Where are my reparations?” I like all the other designs on these. But the prices on the clad half dollars at the insanely high price of about $50 each, is making Harriet turn over in her grave! So very sad, especially for young collectors/Young Numismatists for sure!
NumisdudeTX
Seth,
I like the reverse on the unc half where she’s holding a baseball bat, ready to use, in case you don’t pony up. The mint should’ve modernised this by having her holding a sign begging for contributions, as so many folks do at every stop sign/red light I stop at while driving. Are these folks included in the monthly jobs report?
My first thought was they credited her with the gimme five, up high, down low, too slow hand jive. I think the one huge nostril on the gold was also off-putting. Just not nice looking coins all around. I wonder what she would have looked like if they had photoshop back in her day
Now that I look closer. The hand out is her Jesus moment. Asking for payment before she allows them to board the train. In the other pic, you see her arms crossed like a bouncer letting you know that if you don’t pay you can’t get on the boat. Notice they had a row boat and weren’t on a dock. That was to keep someone from sneaking on (stow away) last minute and getting a free ride. With the row boat needed it ensured no stow aways as they are famous for not being able to swim. Although, I also… Read more »
Waiting on the outrage about why her coin only 90% gold and not 110% gold.
Wonder if Magic mike on hsn selling the 250 “randomly” “sold-out ” signed 3 coin sets.
In other news. The former Harvard head may get her own coin for being the shortest serving at the position. Rumor has it she plagiarized her resignation letter from Nixon
Can you believe Gay is still keeping her nearly $900,000 a year salary. Not a bad gig if you check certain boxes and can get it. I guess she’ll have to settle being a teacher who makes $900,000 instead. I wouldn’t mind having her as my teacher, as I’m sure she would look the other way with regards to plagiarism.
I saw that Magic Mike sold out his 4 coin sets of ANACS 2024 AGE’s. The proofs sold for $7949.99 and the uncirculated sold for $7849.99. Almost $8k for $3788 worth of gold. Not a bad deal, for the seller!
Bet she grades on the Lizzo curve. Wonder how all her peers missed the citations. 50 out of 100 of her works. Don’t forget, she probably subs in as an ethics advisor when they call in sick. I am done with mint coins I believe. Perhaps will snatch up the greatest generation set, despite not knowing any. Rest will be bullion and foreign coins. I don’t see any of the current releases being of future value. Maybe an error coin or two where Mrs Butterworth on the coin instead of HT. Or uncle Ben instead of booker T. With Gen… Read more »
I would have thought west point would have pressed the civil war phase, you know, due to the military connection of the two.
Purchased the proof Silver Dollar. As much as I wanted the half dollar it doesn’t merit what the product is for the price.
Hopefully it gets mailed out soon.
Thumbs up, Chris.
I got the three-coin proof set. It appears the shipping charge will include a signature requirement for the first time in a few years. I’m glad to see the commems back. I missed them last year. I’ve got 11 orders left in 2024. Six of them are subscriptions. The next time I visit the website to order something will be in February for the Platinum proof and the three-coin Greatest Generation Set.
I think platinum and palladium are gonna bottom. Down to 400 to 600. Gold silver and copper are the metals to watch. Grab em later this year on thr cheap. Versus the mint 400% traditional markup
I’m with you REB on picking up some more coins this year. Of course the Greatest Generation, several Peace and a Morgan, ASEs plus the Army 1oz silver medal. The Army medal is to finish up completing the set (hopefully Mint does Space Force – fingers crossed) and for gifts to friends who served in the Army.
I was in army. I consider us friends. Lol. I’ll get the army coin and maybe space force since it is first one. Wonder if my old band of brothers can get me a challenge coin from the first head of space force. Technically, would be the first coin.
Won’t ship til Feb 12th. I am allowed to say ship ain’t I, or is that a trigger word? So hard to keep up
Yeah saw that D&C on shipping. I ordered some Marine bronze medals for some friends as gifts. Hopefully I don’t have to wait until 12FEB for the medals to ship.
Pre-sale to see how they do. All still available it looks like. So my guess is the mint will pump a huge black history month sales blitz to draw attention and get the demographic to pay full price versus the highly marked down sale price offered here.
Clad coins seem like those souvenir coins you get at roadside tourist traps and zoos. Where you insert a penny, add $5 in quarters, turn a crank and magically your penny turns into picture of the place you are visiting. But it is mostly nickel, my guess is intentional as if you say it fast, it sounds like a word only they can say. Hey. Djall get yallz nickel coin?
Yepperdoddles D&C on those clad half dollars. Waaaaaaaaaay overpriced. Normally I like getting the half dollar commemoratives as gifts for friends but these just didn’t make me want to spend $49 for them.
FYI the other day i saw one of those machines, and it asked only for 2 quarters plus of course a doomed penny to make it go. but because so few people actually carry change anymore, there was a change machine helpfully put next to it that would give you 4 quarters and 2 cents for a dollar bill to put in the machine – and I was thinking wow instant 2% profit if i just shove dollars into it and walk away without squishing any coins.
I see them at places like the Chesapeake bay Bridge tunnel overlook gift shop, or alligator farm in Florida, or coal powered train ride in Tennessee, or the aquarium in chattanooga. Depends on the place. Some are a penny and 50 cent, others are a penny and up to $5. No change machine, just a bill slot like late 90s arcade games and pool tables. I think if you don’t have the penny, it drops one for you so it only costs $4.99. What a deal. Plus no tax. Speaking of trains and coins, was just talking about putting different… Read more »
Passing, way overpriced for what they are, especially the halves.
Agree Domenic. I like to get the commemoratives for my collection but I am getting tired of being fleeced by the Mint with their outrageous prices.
We all are.
!!!!!!!!! 🙁 !!!!!!!! 🙁
Probably why England is killing it with record setting bullion sales and Britannia purchases. Grams and 10th oz coins, but still. But it’ll be OK. Once biden and or trump sells us to China we’ll get those cool fortune cookie, or weird hat looking coins they make. If they are made in China, does that automatically make them counterfeit?
As you all have read my posts before, foreign mints allow any customer to purchase bullion. U.S. Mint does not as you have to purchase U.S. bullion via an authorized dealer who can purchase direct from Mint 🙁
Now you can buy at Costco. But most bullion is recirculated. While the silver eagle style is popular, there are many. Other mints offer better purifies etc. But many pawn shops do the same. The problem here is America isn’t for the people it is for the companies. Bullion only through the same people that get early access to every coin known as the AP. So if you want near spot price, you gotta pay the company that buys the bags and other offerings in bulk as well. And they post on ebay with even higher markups. Oddly there is… Read more »
The Mint is assuring the dealers get a deal, buying and selling these commemoratives.
Subway train runs into back of another train in New York. Had to have been an homage to the tubman release.
Regarding the HT coin series, I wonder why the mint needed to press 6 versions for collectors. I have no problem with the mint doing a HT commemorative, but I checked the website this morning, and they still haven’t sold out of any version. Why waste so much effort on things that clearly aren’t in demand. Maybe they should’ve passed out reparations first so folks could afford them. $47 for a clad half dollar? Does that come with a Red Oak box? Anyone who thinks that’s being fiscally sound with your money needs a reimagined education.
Plus, gold seems so passe now. Looking at the professional athletes, they have gone from full mouth of gold to having full set of diamond teeth. Must bring em closer to the motherland where their cousins are making a fortune working in the diamond mines.
You sure do come up with some good ones Dazed! I’m going to have to pay closer attention to the games, and close up’s of players, this weekend! Of course, those diamond teeth might just be lab grown which would make them cheaper than the gold teeth. A lab grown diamond can sell for around $30/carat. The rich have jewellery made with lab grown diamonds to replicate their high end pieces. If they go out in public, they wear the cheap diamonds so if someone snatches them, so what. In fact, a lot of men are buying lab grown diamond… Read more »
Justin Jefferson for one.
If you ask Bruce Wayne he’ll tell you he is glad his mother was wearing her fake pearls that night at the theater. Both parents still died, but the joke was on the thief. Murder charges if caught for 4 bucks in plastic. Then again they do rob for shoes and over nickel bags, so… there’s that.
With the revised Roots movie coming out, I’m surprised Oprah didn’t buy every coin in the series and hand them out to movie goers that see it. You get a coin, and you get a coin, and you… white chick with the black dude, you get a medal
Sell out, not going to happen. There hasn’t been any sellout or close to it since??? BBHOF? Even Apollo 11 commems, no sellouts. Buy IF you want no profit o the HT coins, except for the MEZAK crowd…
Well, they should sell out fast now. The local news station just did a quick story on the 3 coins of tubman. Apparently, too much work to learn actually 6 types available, or they just know that the target don’t usually collect or would know what a proof (something to do with licker, liquor) or uncirculated (stoled before delivered to merchant) are. Not sure if the other news stations did same story but probably gonna be a run on them now. I bet local Walmart already flooded with locals trying to cash out their EBT credit for this month to… Read more »
I’m only amazed it took the media this long to do a featured story on the HT coins. Anything dealing with DEI and they’re on it quickly.
Speaking of underground. Sounds like Austin’s gender reassignment surgery went foul and nobody told Byedon he was indisposed. Oddly didn’t find out til Insurrection Day anniversary. Good thing he didn’t have to use Obama care or the veterans hospital and got to use the upper crust congressmen gold standard facilities. Otherwise he might not have made it. Yes yes, Walter Reed is a vet hospital for the area technically, but since so much congress use, and close by they play by the rules and treat patients quickly and efficiently and great skill.
Did you hear about the Alaskan Airlines Boeing jet that lost one of its passenger windows while in flight. Boeing has hired over 90% of its recent new hires based on, yeah you guessed it, DEI boxes. That should give you comfort the next time you board one of those planes, just don’t ask for the window seat..Lol.
Mayor Pete was asked what he planned to do about it, he said nothing. He’s not a plane guy, he’s a train guy. His speciality is the caboose.
Under biden, it’s definitely been a planes trains and automobiles kinda year.
Dazed. Are we making his/herstory again. oh joy. We’ll have the 1st trans SoD ever, assuming he/she survives. I don’t like going a few weeks without setting some new ‘1st in history’ moment. You know, if you put a wig on Austin, she has an uncanny resemblance to HT! No wonder all those illegal migrants are pouring into America.
Mexico said they were willing to help with the border issue. They promised for every illegal they stop, biden has to allow 2 in. Biden called it a no Brainer and tossed in several billion to Mexico as a sign of good faith. I saw somewhere that companies are dropping the DEI now as it is detrimental to the reputation and bottom line. Who knew catering to a crowd that constantly screams demands and issues ultimatum that requires special pay, attention, recognition or face cancellation would hurt overall employee morale. If you can’t be the rich 1%, be the 1%… Read more »
Dazed, I saw the pic of the damaged Boeing 737 and wondered how they could call that a window…it was clearly a door, or door plug (our Sec. of Transportation is gay after all!) so I guess it’s appropriate to call it a plug. I have Magic Mike’s coin show on my DVR, but haven’t looked at them yet, was watching the football games. I did see some of the New Years shows and was astonished at the price points for the gold sets and pieces. Nearly $8K for an ANACS 4 coin uncirculated AGE set?! Who in this world… Read more »
It’s like the death of superman. Remember that fiasco. Where they had a white bag with a black stripe, a black bag, a red bag, and a blue bag, and special signed copies. Basically mike is giving it the coffee mug store at the mall. Take a white mug, choose a design, choose font, choose your words. Boom a premiere ms70 coffee mug. Put it in a white bag with black stripe. Or maybe like a birthday cake. All the label does is give the false sense of yet another aspect of rarity. Folks this is the anacs, dikc pic,… Read more »
Dazed, That cracks me up when I hear Magic Mike state ‘I purchase the counterfeit coins so you don’t have to.’ If folks don’t have to, why are there so many people stuck with them, huh? You might be onto something Dazed, with regard to the cost of paper and ink driving up the prices for those coveted MS70 ASE’s! Bidenomics at work again. Oh, I don’t think Trump will divert gold (other than his own, that is) to making toilets. He probably likes having unique things to himself. Man, it looks like the Heisman voters got it wrong this… Read more »
Isn’t biden a white dude and a catholic. That probably explains why he isn’t liked. I recorded the game. Guess I chose the wrong station as it was the ESPN sky cam view with the stadium announcer heard every few words. I couldn’t watch it. Picked other ESPN (figured may as well since I have to pay a local.sports tax, a regional sports tax, and other fees totalling over $50 a month because of ESPN and their licensing. And it took me to the 4th quarter with just about 4 minutes left. I wanted Washington to win, 1 Harbaugh is… Read more »
McCarthy Heisman category Craig? What!? He’s middling at best w/the QB talent that is in NCAA this season. Michigan’s defense and running game more impressive than their passing game. My alma mater almost beat Michigan – Maryland.