A new commemorative $100 gold coin from the U.S. Mint has caused a stir online.
The U.S. Mint announced the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin, featuring Liberty as a black woman, will be released on April 6, the Associated Press reports. On one side is the woman’s head in profile with a crown of stars and the Mint’s founding year, 1792, as well as the year 2017; on the other, an eagle in flight.
It is the first in a series of 24-karat gold coins that will depict Liberty as different ethnicities. Future coins will represent Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Indian-Americans.
The goal of the coins is to reflect “the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States,” the Mint said.
Following the Associated Press’ report, the news outlet received harsh backlash from social media users because Liberty is portrayed as African-American on the coin.
@Kalam1tyPlays @Tarmas55 @AP lady liberty isn’t black. That simple
— Randy Dangerfield (@randydangerfiel) January 13, 2017
@AP The discrimination of white people by the @obama administration continues
— DeplorableTony Armas (@Tarmas55) January 13, 2017
@AP doubt lady liberty talks at top volume in movie theatres
— Chad Groves (@ChadGroves10) January 13, 2017
@AP That’s fine. But if they do one with a Latina on it, it better come with papers…
— IT Slave (@TheITSlave) January 13, 2017
@AP I’m surprised that it’s not a MUSLIM.
— WALLTOWN NEWS (@DennisKeithRic2) January 13, 2017
@AP I bet if it was a white man on the coin the left would come unglued. Cry babies
— Jeremy (@ForRealJeremy) January 13, 2017
@AP this administration doing everything to change history,including changing Lady Liberty from what the French sent us. Pathetic racism!
— David S Handler (@davidradiowntp) January 13, 2017
@AP all Dems
“I got it! Why don’t we make a race issue out of whose face is printed on US coins!!!”you— Deplorable Eric ?? (@deplorable_eric) January 13, 2017
@AP i wouldnt pay a dime for it. This proves that the Obama’s are racist.
— Drg (@drg9766) January 13, 2017
@AP take a close look at the Statue of Liberty. Obviously lady liberty is a white European. This is ridiculous!
— William Moore (@williamfytylga) January 13, 2017
There is currently only one U.S. Mint coin in circulation that features a person of color, the Sacajawea dollar, according to CNN. And there is only one with a woman, the Susan B. Anthony dollar.
Do you think the image of Lady Liberty should be left alone rather than change her nationality? Leave us a comment below.
Sources: Associated Press, RawStory, CNN / Photo credit: U.S. Mint via CNN
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