US will bump Alexander Hamilton in favor of a female figure
With both security and symbolism in mind, the US Department of the Treasury is getting ready to redesign the $10 bill. And, as President Barack Obama raised the idea of putting a woman on American currency last July, Treasury has announced that it intends to find the best female candidate.
That has set off a debate on several levels: who should be so honored, whether the current occupant of the $10 bill; Alexander Hamilton, or perhaps the $20 bill’s Andrew Jackson should be demoted, and why a woman is not being featured on a more commonly used bill. The Twenty, for example, is the common one dispensed by ATMs.
But Treasury’s Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence Steering Committee makes regular recommendations on redesigns to prevent counterfeiting, and it recommended the $10 note in 2013. It is also planned to be part of the introduction of tactile features to help the visually impaired distinguish among various denominations.
"Democracy is the theme for the next redesigned series and the Secretary will select a woman recognized by the public who was a champion for democracy in the United States," Treasury announced on a special website set up to receive public input on the selection. "The person should be iconic and have made a significant contribution to—or impact on—protecting the freedoms on which our nation was founded."
Martha Washington—America’s first First Lady—appeared on $1 silver certificates in the late 1800s.
There’s been no dearth of suggestions: Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, among many others. A decision is to be made by year’s end, and the new note should be ready for rollout after 2020, which would be the centenary of the 19th amendment, allowing women to vote.
Treasury officials will be conducting roundtables, town halls, and other meetings to collect input and will also be reviewing comments submitted through the website and tweets tagged with “TheNew10” hashtag.
Who would you recommend to receive the honor, and why? And who should definitely not be looking out from the next generation of $10 bills?
