The Maya Angelou commemorative coin was released in April, 2019. It is the first ever coin produced by the United States Mint to honor an individual woman. The coin was special because it honored the amazing life and works of the late Dr. Maya Angelou, an author and civil rights activist who inspired the world with her words and deeds. The coin was unveiled in Washington D.C. on April 14th, with a ceremony that included U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Dr. Maya Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson. The coin is available as a clad half dollar, which features a portrait of Angelou on its reverse side, as well as an inscription of her most famous quote “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
The idea of the issue of the Maya Angelou Commemorative Coin began the previous year when a group of bi-partisan Senators, including New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker, proposed the issuing of the first U.S. coin honoring an individual woman. The proposal was approved by Congress and signed in April 2018, designating April 2019 as the month of the release of the coin. Soon after approval, the U.S. Mint began the process of selecting an image to be featured on the coin’s reverse side. As a result, they chose to feature a portrait of Angelou created by famous engraver Gary Whitley, who has crafted some of the most iconic coins ever issued by the U.S. Mint.
The Maya Angelou commemorative coin is an important milestone for the U.S. Mint, as it is the first ever coin to feature a portrait of a woman on its reverse side. This symbolizes an important step for gender equality, and for the recognition of an individual woman’s accomplishments and legacy. In addition, the Maya Angelou coin has a special meaning to many people, especially those who have been inspired by Angelou’s works and words. The coin has been highly sought after by the public, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to charities that were close to Angelou’s heart.
The Maya Angelou coin was released to great fanfare, and was celebrated as an important milestone in American history. The reaction to the coin has been overwhelmingly positive, with people all around the world celebrating the honor that the U.S. Mint had bestowed upon Dr. Maya Angelou. The coin is an important way to continue spreading her legacy and to keep her inspiring words alive.
Impact of Maya Angelou Commemorative Coin
The release of the Maya Angelou commemorative coin has had an important impact on the US Mint and on society as a whole. The issuance of the first ever coin to honor an individual woman is a symbol of the progress the US has made towards gender equality. This milestone also symbolizes the political power of women, and the achievements of a single individual who was able to make a difference in the lives of many people.
The coin has helped to raise awareness about Angelou’s works and her inspiring words. It has also raised awareness about the importance of honoring individuals who have had a positive impact on the world, and has provided a tangible form of recognition that has been highly sought after by the public.
The Maya Angelou commemorative coin has also had an important economic impact. The sale of the coin has raised a significant amount of funds for charities that were close to Angelou’s heart. This has allowed her legacy to be continued in a way that is meaningful and lasting.
Origins of the Maya Angelou Commemorative Coin
The idea for the US mint to honor the late Maya Angelou with a commemorative coin was initially proposed in 2018 by a bi-partisan group of Senators led by New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. The group proposed the issue of the first every coin to honor an individual woman, and the proposal was approved in April 2018. The US Mint then began the process of selecting an image to feature on the coin’s reverse side.
The selection process took some time, as the mint needed to take into account the requirements of both the federal government and the representatives of Angelou estate. Ultimately, the image of the portrait created by engraver Gary Whitley was chosen, with an inscription of her most famous quote “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” The coin was released in April 2019 and was celebrated by the citizens of the US.
Media Attention Around the Coin
The issuing of the Maya Angelou commemorative coin received extensive media coverage both the US and around the world. It served as an important reminder of the progress society has made towards gender equality, and of the power of an individual woman to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many people.
The media coverage of the coin was overwhelmingly positive. Many outlets celebrated the honor that was being accorded to Angelou, and highlighted her inspiring words and deeds. The coverage of the coin has helped to spread Angelou’s legacy and to keep her inspiring words alive.
Additionally, the release of the coin was seen as an important opportunity for African Americans, particularly women. It served as a reminder of the groundbreaking work that African American women have done, and how their influence continues to shape society.
Design of the Coin
The design of the Maya Angelou commemorative coin is both intricate and thought-provoking. The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Angelou, created by engraver Gary Whitley, who has crafted some of the most iconic coins ever issued by the US mint. The obverse side contains a man’s profile and a quote from Angelou inscribed around it. The quote reads “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
The design of the coin is a testament to Angelou’s inspirational words and deeds. It is also symbolic of the progress towards gender equality, and of the recognition of an individual woman’s accomplishments and legacy.
Release of the Coin
The Maya Angelou commemorative coin was released in April, 2019. A ceremony was held in Washington DC, with the unveiling of the coin by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Dr. Maya Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson. The ceremony was attended by numerous advocates for gender equality and admirers of Angelou’s works. Speeches were made by prominent politicians, such as then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
The unveiling of the coin was celebrated by many as a victory for women’s rights, and as a tribute to the inspiring works of Maya Angelou. The coin was made available to the public in both coin form and as a collectible. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the coin are being donated to charities that were close to Angelou’s heart.
Public Reaction
The reaction to the release of the Maya Angelou coin has been overwhelmingly positive. People all around the world have celebrated the honor that was being accorded to Dr. Maya Angelou. A large number of people have expressed appreciation for the US Mint’s recognition of Angelou’s contribution to society, and for the honoring of an individual who helped inspire so many.
The release of the coin has also been seen as an important milestone for gender equality. It has helped to raise awareness about Angelou’s works and her inspiring words, and to remind the public of the importance of recognizing individuals who have had a positive impact.
