Move over, Alexander Hamilton. A woman is coming to the $10 bill.
The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that it will be redesigning the $10 and release it in 2020 as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which allowed women to vote.
Hamilton, whose face currently graces the front of the $10, will still appear on the bill somewhere, but a woman to be named will be the new, prominent face.
Who will that woman be? The final decision will be left up to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, but there is sure to be plenty of speculation leading up to that decision. Current federal law states that the chosen person must be dead, but the Treasury Department says Secretary Lew is looking for a woman “who was a champion for our inclusive democracy.”
Who do you think should be on the new $10 bill? What qualifies a person to be on U.S. currency? Is it a contribution to politics? Society? Civil/human rights?
Tweet @AirTalk using #TheNew10 with your suggestions. Also, vote on our Ranker below, and make sure to add anyone you think we missed!
Guest:
Matthew Whitman, assistant curator of American coins and currency at the American Numismatic Society