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The Jackie Robinson Museum Is About a Lot More Than Baseball
Robinson accomplished a great deal on the field, but a museum celebrating his life puts as much focus on his civil rights work.
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In 1997, the United States Mint honored Jackie Robinson with two commemorative coins honoring the fiftieth anniversary of the breaking of baseball’s color barrier. These coins, which were a key part of nationwide celebrations honoring Jackie Robinson’s legacy, remain sought-after collector’s items.
In September 2026, Jackie Robinson Museum Assistant Curator Sidney Carlson White sat down with the American Numismatic Society to discuss the history of these coins and their significance to the study of Robinson’s legacy. By placing these coins in the context of the hundreds of awards showered upon Robinson, we can better understand how he and his supporters used his platform and fame to continue to push for change—even as he was being honored for the progress he had helped make.
Jackie Robinson Museum Assistant Curator Sidney Carlson White presents on the 1997 Jackie Robinson commemorative coins for the American Numismatic Society
Obverse and reverse of the 1997 Jackie Robinson $1 coin. American Numismatic Society
Obverse and reverse of the 1997 Jackie Robinson gold half-eagle. American Numismatic Society
This video can also be found on the American Numismatic Society’s YouTube channel.
