How 15 women left their mark on the world—and on our money.

Queen Cleopatra had coins made with her face on them. Japan put writer Ichiyō Higuchi on the 5,000 yen note more than 100 years after her death. And Eva Perón was the first Argentine woman on a bill. These biographies examine 15 extraordinary women who have appeared on coins or bills—and how they got there. Each inspiring story also digs deeper into different currencies and the customs of the time period.