2024 Harriet Tubman Gold & Silver Coins – How to Buy & Sell

POSTED IN: Commemorative Coins, Harriet Tubman, Silver Coins, Troy Ounces, US Mint, Value of Gold, Value of Silver

The U.S. Mint has officially unveiled three commemorative coins showcasing the renowned abolitionist and human rights activist Harriet Tubman. These coins, presented as part of the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, were released to the public on Thursday, January 4, 2024. The collection features $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins, all crafted to honor the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth.

Each coin reflects a different period of Harriet Tubman’s life. From her work during the civil war to her support of civil rights and women’s suffrage after the war, the coins reflect some of her many contributions to progress in America. The coins pay tribute to the freedom fighter and proceeds to go support the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York.

$5 Harriet Tubman Gold Coin

And the $5 gold coin features an older Tubman gazing in the distance toward the future.

Coin Description (from USMint.gov)

The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Harriet Tubman in her years following the Civil War, looking confidently into the distance and towards the future.

The reverse (tails) depicts both arms of an individual firmly clasping one arm of another individual, symbolizing the aid and care that Harriet Tubman offered to others throughout her life. Encircling the arms are inscriptions of Harriet Tubman’s seven core values.

Coin Details

• Composition: 90% gold, 6% silver, balance copper
• Diameter: 0.850 inches
• Weight: 0.243 troy oz.
• Mintage Limit: 50,000 across all gold product options
• Mint & Mark: West Point

Coin Valuation

With a composition of 90% gold and 6% silver, the $5 gold coin is much more valuable than its $5 face value. 0.243 troy ounces (the weight of the coin) converts to 0.26660571 ounces. Given the coins composition, that means 0.2399 ounces of gold and 0.0144 ounces of silver.

As of January 4th, an ounce of gold is worth $2,046.69, while an ounce of silver is worth $23.17. This makes the value of metal inside a Harriet Tubman gold $5 coin about $491.00 (gold value) + 0.33 (silver value) for a total of $491.33.
Update: On April 14th, 2024, the price of gold is $2,360/ounce, meaning the intrinsic value would be $566.57.

At Cash for Gold Mailer, we pay 95% of the value of gold and silver bullion, so selling this coin to us at current rates would net you $466.76.
Update: As of April 14th, 2024, the current rate would be $538.24.

As of April 14, 2024, the coin is for sale at the US Mint for $786.50. Gold is up 10-15% from the original post, but even still, there’s a significant premium. If you’re interested in investing in gold, this isn’t the way to go. If you like commemorative coins and are a collector, of course that would be a reason to buy.

This is why the US Mint will sell the coin for a premium, as the intrinsic value is much higher than the face value of the coin. This is very common for commemorative coins and other collectible pieces issued by the US Mint.

 

$1 Harriet Tubman Silver Dollar

The silver dollar depicts Tubman as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad.

Coin Description (from USMint.gov)

The obverse (heads) depicts Harriet Tubman offering her hand to the viewer with an expression that challenges the viewer to seize the opportunity for freedom.

The reverse (tails) depicts silhouettes crossing a bridge created by a pair of clasped hands. In the sky, the Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star, which forms the “O” in the word “OF.”

Coin Details

• Composition: 99.9% silver
• Diameter: 1.500 inches
• Weight: 0.859 troy oz.
• Mintage Limit: 400,000 across all silver product options
• Mint & Mark: Philadelphia

Coin Valuation

With a composition of pure silver, the $1 silver coin is much more valuable than its $1 face value. 0.859 troy ounces converts to 0.94244571 ounces of silver. As of January 4th, an ounce of silver is worth $23.17, making the value of the metal inside a Harriet Tubman silver $1 coin about $21.84.

At Cash for Gold Mailer, we pay 95% of the value of gold and silver bullion, so selling this coin to us at current rates would net you $20.75.

The coin is currently for sale at the US Mint for $82.

 

Harriet Tubman Half Dollar

The half dollar shows her as a spy and union nurse during the civil war.

Coin Description (from USMint.gov)

The obverse (heads) depicts Harriet Tubman, who distinguished herself as the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War. The Combahee River Raid resulted in more than 700 enslaved persons in South Carolina being freed. In the background, two Civil War-era boats represent the raid.

The reverse (tails) depicts Harriet Tubman holding a spyglass in front of a row of Civil War-era tents, symbolizing her work as a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Coin Details

• Composition: 8.33% nickel, balance copper
• Diameter: 1.205 inches
• Weight: 11.340 grams
• Mintage Limit: 750,000 across all clad product options
• Mint & Mark: San Francisco

Coin Valuation

With a composition of nickel and copper, the half dollar has a negligible value from a metal standpoint. If you send this in to us, you’ll likely just receive the face value ($0.50) of the coin, so you might as well spend it or keep it.

The coin is currently for sale at the US Mint for $52.

Where to Buy Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coins

Harriet Tubman commemorative coins can be purchased directly from the US Mint. The coins can be purchased separately as mentioned above, or as a complete set for $836 as of January 4th, 2024. As of April 14th, the price is $909.75.

As shown by our calculations above, the actual value of the set of coins is approximately $488.01. So you are paying a substantial collector premium for this commemorative set of coins. If you’re a coin collector, these can be a wonderful addition to your collection. But if you’re someone who purchases gold for its value or as an investment, there are much more efficient ways to invest in valuable metals.

Proceeds from the sales will go to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman home.

Click here to purchase the coins directly from the US Mint.

How to Sell Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coins

At Cash for Gold Mailer, we pay 95% of the value of gold and silver bullion, so selling this set of commemorative coins to us at current rates would net you $463.61. If the commemorative coins prove popular and there is a significant second-hand market for them closer to the selling price by the mint, we may offer more for your coins. However, this is the exception rather than the rule, so it’s best to ask us first if you’re expecting more than 95% of the intrinsic value of the coins.

According to the U.S. Mint, Director Ventris Gibson signed 250 certificates of authenticity for the 2024 Harriet Tubman Three-Coin Proof Set, which will be randomly inserted into unmarked sets. These certificates of authenticity may carry additional value for people that receive them.

To sell your commemorative coins (and other gold coins, bars, or jewelry), you can request a free gold mailer pack from us now.

 

Harriet Tubman and the $20 Bill

Plans were in place for Harriet Tubman to be featured on the redesigned $20 bill, replacing the current image of President Andrew Jackson. The decision to feature Tubman on the $20 bill was announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2016, and it was initially targeted to be unveiled in 2020 to coincide with the centennial of women’s suffrage in the United States.

However, the timeline for the release of the redesigned $20 bill has faced delays. The Trump administration had initially indicated a reassessment of the redesign plans, while the Biden administration has expressed its commitment to moving forward with the redesign. However, nothing formal has been announced and it seems the launch of this (somewhat controversial) redesign continues to be in limbo.

The launch of the commemorative coins is seen by some as a gesture to signify the importance in commemorating Harriet Tubman as the influential leader in American history that she was. While the release of the coins have been met with praise, advocates for getting Tubman on the $20 bill remain adamant that a commemorative coin set isn’t a suitable replacement for putting her on the $20 bill. Drama around the redesign is sure to continue.

 

About Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman, born around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, was an African American abolitionist and humanitarian whose life became a testament to the indomitable spirit of resistance against slavery. Born into bondage, Tubman escaped slavery in 1849, embarking on a perilous journey along the Underground Railroad—a clandestine network of safe houses and routes that facilitated the escape of enslaved individuals to freedom.

Her remarkable courage and determination earned her the moniker “Moses” among those she helped liberate. Beyond her own emancipation, Harriet Tubman devoted her life to the abolitionist cause, tirelessly working as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and aiding hundreds of enslaved individuals to escape to freedom. Despite the ever-present danger of capture and the substantial bounty placed on her head, Tubman’s commitment to justice and equality remained unwavering.

During the American Civil War, she also served as a nurse, cook, and spy for the Union Army, further contributing to the fight against slavery. Post-war, Tubman continued her advocacy for women’s suffrage and civil rights, leaving an enduring legacy as a symbol of resilience, courage, and the fight for freedom. Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10, 1913, but her extraordinary contributions to the abolitionist movement and her impact on the struggle for civil rights continue to inspire generations.