100 Greatest Women on Coins

Book excerpt: This is the tenth entry in Whitman Publishing's popular "100 Greatest" library. Award-winning author Ron Guth has studied coins depicting women from ancient times to the modern day, building a database of more than 700 queens, princesses, empresses, actresses, political and religious leaders, goddesses, and others. These were voted on and ranked by the members of Women in Numismatics and other hobbyists to determine the 100 Greatest Women on Coins. "This book is a celebration of women's impact on numismatics," says Guth, "and a study of the relationship between them and the men who monopolize the portraiture designed for coins." Each notable woman is described with an illustrated historical, biographical, and anecdotal essay and colorful images of the coins on which she appears. Guth also discusses the long history of women featured on coins, and how anyone today can assemble a remarkable and meaningful collection. The book's scholarly value is further expanded with a checklist for the specialist, and a bibliography for further research.