First Spouse Gold Coins
For those that are avid coin collectors, you are probably well aware of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program from the United States Mint. First Spouse Coins are $10 coins made of one half ounce of 24 karat gold. They are minted in both proof and uncirculated versions, specifically aimed at the collectors market.
The First Spouse Coins are authorized by the President $1 Coin Act that was signed into law by former President George Bush in 2005. The law calls for them to be made of .9999 of pure gold and to be released in conjunction with the Presidential $1 coin. The First Spouse Coins are designed to have on the obverse side, the first spouse's portrait and name, date of their terms, mintage year and the words "Liberty" and "In God We Trust". The opposing side depicts a scene of the first spouses life and work and have the words "The United States of America", "E. Puribus Unum", "$10", "1/2 oz." and ".9999 fine gold".
For the presidents that did not have wives at the time of their presidency, the coins have a picture of Miss Liberty that cooresponds to that timeframe. Whereas the opposite side has themes of the presidents life. This would be found with the coins for presidents Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
Additionally for presidents that had more than one wife, such as John Tyler, two spouse coins will be issued. President John Tyler's first wife, Letita, died during his second term as president and he remarried Julia while he was still in office. These beautiful coins have enjoyed a great deal of success since the inception of the program in 2007, and are intended to continue through 2016. During each year, four will be released at approximately thirteen week intervals.
At this time, a presidential coin of a former president that is still living has not yet been a concern as former presidents cannot be honored on a gold coin until their death. However, these coins are to be released in conjunction to the Presidential coins, so it is possible that in the future that a First Spouse Coin may be distributed while she is still alive.
In 2007, the first of the series were released which include, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Jefferson's Liberty and Dolley Madison.
In 2008, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams, Jackson's Liberty and Van Buren's Liberty were produced.
The 2009 series have already seen the release of some of this year's editions, which will include Anna Harrison, Letita Tyler and Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk and Margaret Taylor. The First Spouse Coin of Margaret Taylor is scheduled to be released sometime during this upcoming winter.
The First Spouse Coins are also released in bronze at 1 5/16' and sell for a very affordable price of $3.50, and are an exact replica of the goin coins only produced with bronze medal instead.
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Comments
I'm always surprised that the U.S. doesn't have any larger coins. I liked the silver dollars and 50 cent pieces!
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