"Riot penny" charred during the 1921 Tulsa race riot

Created by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Owned by

Monroe, George, American, 1916 - 2001

Medium

copper alloy

Dimensions

Diameter: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)

3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16 in. (1.9 x 1.9 x 0.2 cm)

Type

coins

Place collected

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date

1917

Description

A charred penny from the Tulsa riot in 1921. The penny is red and brown. The embossing on the front of the penny is still visible. The word "Liberty" is on the left side next to a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in profile. "1917" appears next to Lincoln on the right side. The back side of the coin is completely melted and nothing is visible.

Topic

African American

Communities

Race discrimination

United States--History--1919-1933

Violence

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth

Object number

2012.96.2

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Coins and Currency

Exhibition

Power of Place

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture