Thursday, December 20, 2012, the U.S. Mint began taking orders for this year’s second set of Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coins. These are the ones honoring her service as First Lady during husband Grover’s second term as President of the United States. Sales debuted for the differently designed "first term" Frances gold coins on November 15, 2012.
Frances Cleveland gold coins are available in collector uncirculated and proof qualities. Struck from 1/2 ounce of .99.99% pure gold, each features a portrait of the former First Lady on the obverse and a scene emblematic of her life on the reverse.
These are the last of four 2012-dated releases of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program. The program debuted in 2007 and honors the spouses of the former Presidents in the order in which the chief executive served. Previous releases this year included those depicting Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement, the first term Frances coins and the gold pieces honoring Caroline Harrison.
Designs of Frances Cleveland (Second Term) First Spouse Gold Coins
The obverse of each coin offers a right-facing portrait of Frances Cleveland. Surrounding the portrait are the inscriptions of FRANCES CLEVELAND, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 2012, 24th, and 1893-1897.
The obverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Barbara Fox and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
Depicted on the reverse is a scene emblematic of the popularity Frances enjoyed with the public. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, ½ OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.
The reverse was designed and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Prices, Mintages and Ordering
Proof quality Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coins may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint for $1004 each. Pricing of an uncirculated coin is $991. These are identical pricing levels for all spousal coins, but they are subject to change. The Mint monitors precious metals and may adjust gold coin prices weekly to account for market fluctuations.
All 2012-dated First Spouse Gold Coins feature a maximum mintage of 13,000 across all product options. This is 2,000 lower than mintages for last year’s coins.
Those wishing to place an order with the U.S. Mint may do so on its website located here. Orders are also accepted by telephone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Coins ship encapsulated and inside a lacquered hardwood display case along with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Second Term Frances Cleveland Bronze Medals
The U.S. Mint also strikes bronze medal replicas of each First Spouse Gold Coin. In the past, these bronze medals sold as a separate product.
However, this year the U.S. Mint has opted to only release the medals as part of an associated Presidential $1 Coin and First Spouse Medal Set and in the 2012 First Spouse Bronze Medal Set. The Cleveland (Second Term) Presidential $1 Coin and Spouse Medal Set is $9.95. The bronze medal set is $16.95. These two products also debuted on Thursday.
About Frances Cleveland
Frances Cleveland was known by her future husband-to-be Grover Cleveland since she was a baby. He was friends with her father and even served as administrator to his estate after he passed away.
The two married at the White House after Grover started his first term as President of the United States. He lost his re-election bid but won a non-consecutive term as President four years later. Through both terms in the White House, Frances enjoyed a high level of popularity with the public, bolstered by the scheduling of two receptions a week. One of those was held on Saturday afternoons so working women could attend.
