20 Dollars Galileo Galilei

Liberia's early 2000s commemorative program was one of the most prolific — and commercially cynical — in the modern numismatic market. These issues were produced in bulk for the collector trade, never intended for domestic circulation in a country whose own economy ran largely on U.S. dollars. The Galileo subject fits a pattern of internationally themed silver pieces sold almost entirely through European and American dealers.

Galileo's 1633 trial before the Roman Inquisition ended with a forced abjuration and house arrest at Arcetri until his death in 1642.