On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F17%2Fnews%2Feconomy%2Fwoman-on-ten-dollar-bill%2Findex.html">a woman would appear on the U.S. $10 bill in 2020</a>. There have been just a handful of women on U.S. currency in history. Susan B. Anthony, the 19th-century feminist leader, appeared on the dollar coin from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999.
On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that a woman would appear on the U.S. $10 bill in 2020. There have been just a handful of women on U.S. currency in history. Susan B. Anthony, the 19th-century feminist leader, appeared on the dollar coin from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999.
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The dollar coin has suffered in popularity in recent decades. The Treasury tried a different tack in 2000 with the Sacagawea dollar, a gold-colored coin featuring the Lewis and Clark guide. Despite heavy marketing, it never really caught on, though it's still minted for collectors.
The dollar coin has suffered in popularity in recent decades. The Treasury tried a different tack in 2000 with the Sacagawea dollar, a gold-colored coin featuring the Lewis and Clark guide. Despite heavy marketing, it never really caught on, though it's still minted for collectors.
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Helen Keller, the deaf-blind author and activist whose inspiring story was told in the play and film "The Miracle Worker," appears on the reverse of the Alabama quarter that was part of the 50 State series. It includes writing in Braille.
Helen Keller, the deaf-blind author and activist whose inspiring story was told in the play and film "The Miracle Worker," appears on the reverse of the Alabama quarter that was part of the 50 State series. It includes writing in Braille.
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Martha Washington, President Washington's wife, was the first woman to appear on U.S. currency and to this day is the only one on a banknote. She appeared on $1 silver certificates in 1886, 1891 and 1896, the latter with her husband.
Martha Washington, President Washington's wife, was the first woman to appear on U.S. currency and to this day is the only one on a banknote. She appeared on $1 silver certificates in 1886, 1891 and 1896, the latter with her husband.
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Though the U.S. has tended to stick with politicians and statesmen, other countries have been more willing to feature artists, writers and other kinds of civic leaders on their currencies. In Mexico, the 500-peso note features painter Frida Kahlo on the reverse and her husband, Diego Rivera, on the obverse.
Though the U.S. has tended to stick with politicians and statesmen, other countries have been more willing to feature artists, writers and other kinds of civic leaders on their currencies. In Mexico, the 500-peso note features painter Frida Kahlo on the reverse and her husband, Diego Rivera, on the obverse.
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Queen Elizabeth II is prominently featured on the currencies of a number of Commonwealth countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Queen Elizabeth II is prominently featured on the currencies of a number of Commonwealth countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
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Argentina celebrated "Evita," former first lady Eva Peron, by putting her on its currency. She's shown here on a 2-peso bill in honor of the 50th anniversary of her death and has appeared on the country's 100-peso note since 2012.
Argentina celebrated "Evita," former first lady Eva Peron, by putting her on its currency. She's shown here on a 2-peso bill in honor of the 50th anniversary of her death and has appeared on the country's 100-peso note since 2012.
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Legendary actress Greta Garbo will start appearing on Sweden's 100-krona note in October.
Legendary actress Greta Garbo will start appearing on Sweden's 100-krona note in October.
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Author Jane Austen, known for such works as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma," is scheduled to come to the British 10-pound note in 2017.
Author Jane Austen, known for such works as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma," is scheduled to come to the British 10-pound note in 2017.
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Scientist Marie Curie appeared on the Polish 20,000-zloty banknote in the '80s and '90s. She also appeared on the French 500-franc note with her husband, Pierre.
Scientist Marie Curie appeared on the Polish 20,000-zloty banknote in the '80s and '90s. She also appeared on the French 500-franc note with her husband, Pierre.
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Golda Meir, who served as Israeli Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974, appeared on the country's 10,000-shekel note, changed to a 10-shekel note after a devaluation in 1985.
Golda Meir, who served as Israeli Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974, appeared on the country's 10,000-shekel note, changed to a 10-shekel note after a devaluation in 1985.
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Bertha von Suttner, the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is depicted on Austria's 2-euro coin.
Bertha von Suttner, the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is depicted on Austria's 2-euro coin.
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Opera star Dame Nellie Melba appears on the Australian 100-dollar note.
Opera star Dame Nellie Melba appears on the Australian 100-dollar note.
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Sigrid Undset, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928, is featured on Norway's 500-krone note.
Sigrid Undset, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928, is featured on Norway's 500-krone note.
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Corazon Aquino, who served as president of the Phillippines from 1986 to 1992, appears on the country's 500-peso note with her husband, Benigno Aquino.
Corazon Aquino, who served as president of the Phillippines from 1986 to 1992, appears on the country's 500-peso note with her husband, Benigno Aquino.
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Before the country switched to the euro, Germany had pianist and composer Clara Schumann on its 100-Deutschmark banknotes.
Before the country switched to the euro, Germany had pianist and composer Clara Schumann on its 100-Deutschmark banknotes.
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When Italy's currency was the lire, the country featured educator Maria Montessori on the 1,000-lire note.
When Italy's currency was the lire, the country featured educator Maria Montessori on the 1,000-lire note.
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