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V17 2014 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 17, Number 32, August 3, 2014, Article 25

OBAMA ENDORSES WOMEN ON U.S. PAPER MONEY

Len Augsburger forwarded this CNN story about President Obama's position on placing women on U.S. banknotes. -Editor

women-on-currency Move over, George Washington. Eleanor Roosevelt might be taking your spot on the $1 bill.

A young girl's letter to President Obama sparked a discussion about the possibility of adding women's faces on American currency. Obama mentioned the letter at an appearance Wednesday in Kansas City, Mo.

"And then she gave me like a long list of possible women to put on our dollar bills and quarters and stuff, which I thought was a pretty good idea," Obama said. So did the Internet.

Soon, there was Oprah on a $20 bill thanks to New York Magazine, Harriet Tubman on a $100 bill from The New Republic and questions across the Twitterverse on why Beyoncé doesn't have her own bill (she is, after all, called Queen Bey).

Though there isn't currently a woman on a paper note, there was once, in 1886. Martha Washington appeared on the $1 silver certificate, which could be redeemed for silver coins.

Women have graced two dollar coins made mostly of copper. Susan B. Anthony is on one that looks something like a quarter, and Sacagawea is on what's known as the "golden dollar." Those coins remain in circulation, but are not currently in production.

As the article notes, it wouldn't be the first time women (real or allegorical) have appeared on U.S. paper money, but it would be a step away from the standard theme of dead Presidents and Founding Fathers. -Editor

To read the complete article, see: Women on U.S. currency? 'A pretty good idea,' says Obama (money.cnn.com/2014/07/31/news/economy/women-on-currency/index.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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