New York, NY - The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has worked tirelessly to preserve the legacy of Harriet Tubman, and no one more so than Mrs. Karen V. Hill, (picd.) President & CEO Harriet Tubman Home, Inc., and The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park.
It is through her efforts that the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coins were struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia on November 28, 2023. The event was hosted by Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the United States Mint. Ms. Gibson is the first woman and the first African American to lead the United States Mint.
In 2018, Mrs. Hill, along with Sen. Charles Schumer, (D. NY) and John Katko (former U.S. representative for NYS 24th congressional district) wrote Public Law 117-163, known as the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. Mrs. Hill said, “the notion that Harriet Tubman should be on coinage was the brainchild of Rep. Katko and the late Rep. Elijah E. Cummings. (D. MD 7th).” The commemorative coins celebrate the 200th anniversary of Harriet Tubman’s birth and grants authority to the U.S. Mint to produce and sell $5 gold coins, silver dollars, and half-dollar clad coins.
In July 2023, Karen Hill and Ventris Gibson were both in New Orleans at the Board of Bishops Connectional Council Faith and Practice Summit when the final designs of the coins were unveiled.
The commemorative coins pay tribute to three significant periods in Harriet Tubman’s life and work: The $1 coin commemorates Tubman’s death-defying work with the Underground Railroad, which freed slaves by smuggling them out of the South and into the North and even Canada through a network of safe houses and brave accomplices. The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial clad half dollar honors her work as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. The $5 gold coin serves as a tribute to her life after the Civil War and the 54 years she lived as a free woman in Auburn, New York. “It was here in Auburn,” Mrs. Hill said, “where Tubman established free universal healthcare for everyone, which she dispensed through the John Brown Hall Infirmary on her property. Tubman also established senior housing for the former indigent slaves so that they could age in dignity and grace. She sheltered children and battered women during a time when such subjects were taboo in public life. One of her greatest achievements was her $500.00 pledge to the historic Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church. This church has been restored and will open to the public in the spring of 2025.”
The purchase price of each $5 coin will include a $35 surcharge; a $10 surcharge is included in the purchase price of each dollar; a $5 surcharge is included in each half dollar’s price. In accordance with the legislation, the net surcharges, after the U.S. Mint recoups its production and associated costs, are to be divided equally between the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in Auburn, New York, “for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing their missions.”
Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Prelate of the North Eastern Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church and member of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park Board of Directors called the event “A Golden experience, for the Gold standard!! The life of the coins far exceeds our mortal bodies! Unborn generations will be able to look at [the coins] and learn of the heroic exploits of this faithful and fearless servant of God.” He said it was “a privilege and a divine joy” and thanked Mrs. Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the Mint, and “our own sisters Karen Hill, Karen Krieger, and their teams for making this unimaginable dream become a reality. My wife and I are more than proud to be a part of this Zion legacy!! Let Mt. Zion Rejoice!!!”
Bishop Michael Frencher, Sr., President of the Board of Bishops (Midwest Episcopal District), posted the event on Facebook: “I was blessed to be one the persons present to strike one of the first Harriet Tubman commemorative coins and meet many of the persons who made it possible. We were blessed to be taken on a tour of the Mint and see firsthand how the coins were made.” He added, “Harriet Tubman was a freedom fighter of first magnitude, and it was a thrilling and historic moment to see her recognized by so many others around the world.”
Bishop Frencher also praised Bishop Proctor, Sisters Hill, and Krieger for “their excellent leadership in ensuring that Harriet Tubman’s esteemed legacy is recognized not only in the AME Zion denomination but also by people all over the world.”
Presiding Elder A. Alfred Carson (New York and London-Midland Conference) was also present for this momentous occasion. “To be a part of and to witness this historical event for one of Zion’s greatest Sheroes was a humbling experience.”
He credited Bishop and Mrs. Proctor for their leadership and thanked Sis. Hill for her steadfast devotion to the legacy of Harriet Tubman. “I just simply felt proud to be a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and am inspired to continue the fight for freedom here in 2023 and beyond.”
Robert Portman, the former U.S. Senator from Ohio; Woodrow Keown, President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; and Daon Jones, Chief Communications Officer at Procter & Gamble, were among the other guests at this historic event.
In some ways, the 2024 Commemorative Coin Program is a consolation prize for Harriet Tubman after years of activism to place her on the $20 bill. Presiding Elder Carson said, “It is finally time for Harriet Tubman to receive her just due and be recognized. We want to see her not only on the silver dollar but on the $20 bill, which will hopefully happen in 2028.” For this to happen, it is imperative that we vote.
For information about the commemorative coin program, visit online https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/harriet-tubman and https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/designs-revealed-for-2024-tubman-commemorative-coins
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