New Coin Shows 'Lady Liberty' as African-American Woman

 

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Images of Lady Liberty have appeared on American money over the years.

Coins have shown her standing¹ tall with a crown on head. She is usually holding a lamp in one hand.

And, one thing has remained the same: Lady Liberty has always been white.

That will change in April.

The United States Mint has released the design for a new $100 gold coin that shows Lady Liberty as a black woman. The special coin is being released to mark the 225th anniversary of the Mint’s coin production.

It will be made of 24-karat gold and go on sale April 6. But the $100 coin will not be available to the public; it is meant for coin collectors.

The U.S. Mint says this will be the first in a series of gold coins that show Lady Liberty as a non-white woman. Future coins will show her as Asian-American, Hispanic-American and Indian-American. The Mint will release a new coin in the series every two years.

Officials say the goal is to represent the “cultural and ethnic² diversity of the United States.”

Lady Liberty is one of the most powerful and enduring signs of America. Her image represents hope and freedom.

The Treasury³ Department said of the new Lady Liberty coins, “We boldly look to the future by casting Liberty in a new light, as an African-American woman wearing a crown of stars, looking forward to ever brighter chapters in our Nation’s history book.”

People reacted to the announcement on social media. “Lady Liberty” became a trending topic.

Chirlane McCray, a speechwriter and poet, wrote on Twitter: “Now, this? This is liberty.”

McCray is married to New York City’s Mayor, Bill de Blasio.

Words in This Story

crown - n. a decorative⁴ object that is shaped like a circle and worn on the head

lamp - n. a device that produces light

enduring - adj. continuing or long-lasting

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

3 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

4 decorative   

adj.装饰的，可作装饰的

参考例句：

• This ware is suitable for decorative purpose but unsuitable for utility.这种器皿中看不中用。
• The style is ornate and highly decorative.这种风格很华丽，而且装饰效果很好。