Today, Sept. 4, at noon EDT, the United States Mint will release the 2014-W $10 Eleanor Roosevelt First Spouse Gold Coins.
These coins are the fourth and final issues of 2014 from a series that honors spouses of United States Presidents. Featured on proof and uncirculated coins is Eleanor Roosevelt, the 32nd First Lady of the United States and wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Both coins are struck at the U.S. Mint facility in West Point, NY out of .5 ounces of .9999 pure gold. Introduced in 2007, the series has typically seen four releases per year. This year’s earlier issued coins honor Florence Harding (released July 10), Grace Coolidge (released July 17), Lou Hoover (released Aug.14).
Designs of Eleanor Roosevelt Fist Spouse Gold Coins
Two designs won out among thirteen candidate designs that included seven obverses and six reverses.
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Chris Costello and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill, obverses feature a likeness of Eleanor Roosevelt that is surrounded by inscriptions reading: ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, IN GOD WE TRUST, 32nd, 1933-1945, LIBERTY AND 2014. Also inscribed on this side of the coin is the mint mark of W for West Point.
Reverses feature Mrs. Roosevelt’s right hand lighting a candle, symbolic of her life’s work and the global impact of her humanitarian initiatives. Inscribed around the image are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURUBUS UNUM, $10, ½ OZ, and .9999 FINE GOLD. The reverse was also designed by Chris Costello. It was sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon.
Pricing and Ordering
On the day of their release, the proof coin was priced at $840.00 and the uncirculated quality coin was listed at $820.00. These prices are subject to change from week to week as the gold market moves up or down. Initial prices are based on a weekly average of gold that is within the $1,250.00 to $1,299.99 range.
Like other recent series issues, Eleanor Roosevelt coins have a 10,000 mintage limit. Early sales figures will determine if the U.S. Mint actually produces all 10,000 coins.
Anyone interested in owning coins of the series can visit the Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov with spousal coins located here. Orders may also be placed by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
First Spouse Gold Coins ship in highly polished, dome-chested, lacquered hardwood presentation cases. A certificate of authenticity is also included.
Eleanor Roosevelt Bronze Medals
In addition, the United States Mint makes bronze medal duplicates of the gold coins. These bronze medals are not sold individually, but will be sold in two sets issued later this year.
The first of these sets will be the Roosevelt Presidential $1 and First Spouse Medal Set, scheduled for release on Oct. 21 for $9.95. This set has one Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential $1 Coin and one Eleanor Roosevelt First Spouse Bronze Medal. The second set is the 2014 First Spouse Medal Set, whose release date has yet to be determined. This set will have the four First Spouse Bronze Medals that will have been released this year. The price of this set is also to be determined.
About Eleanor Roosevelt
Born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt on Oct. 11, 1884, Mrs. Roosevelt preferred to be called by her middle name. She was also the niece of President Teddy Roosevelt. Eleanor attended Allenswood Academy, a private finishing school outside London, England from 1899 until 1902 when her grandmother summoned her home.
It was later that year that she met Franklin on a train and they began a secret romance. The couple set the date for their wedding around Teddy’s schedule so that he could be there to give the bride away. The wedding took place on Mar. 17, 1905.
To learn more about Mrs. Roosevelt, visit http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=33.
Such a handsome woman! 0MG the mint artistS really just mailed it in on FDR & the Mrs.- he looks like Ed Begley Jr., & her likeness is awful, granted she was no real beauty in life. But, this is so awful it is in the dictionary next tot he word impotency……
4/30/15 any reason the Mint web page is no longer listing Eleanor Roosevelt Gold coins? Neither MS or Proof are listed, last weeks sales were unchanged. I do not see any information on the Mint web page, as to status.