Born in New York in December of 1782, Martin Van Buren holds the distinction of being the first president to be born in a newly independent Nation. He is the fourth and final president to be honored on Presidential $1 coins for 2008.
To celebrate Martin Van Buren’s presidency, the United States Mint releases the bulk of the individual products featuring his portrait on Monday, October 27, at 12:00 Noon ET.
The products include the $1 Coin Cover, Individual Proof Coin, Presidential $1 Coin & First Spouse Medal Set, and the previously discussed Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set.
Information for the first three products follow.
2008 Martin Van Buren $1 Coin Cover
Martin Van Buren $1 Coin Covers include two $1 coins that were minted on the first day of production at each Mint facility.
One dollar is from the Mint’s Denver facility with the "D" mintmark and minted on September 2, 2008. The other is from its Philadelphia location bearing the "P" mintmark and minted on September 3, 2008.
In addition to the two $1 coins, the display card includes one of the four U.S. 42 cent Flags 24/7 postage stamp with a postmark of November 13, 2008, Kinderhook, NY, which marks the public release date for the Martin Van Buren $1 coin.
The coin cover is priced at $14.95, plus $4.95 for standard shipping and handling. The U.S. Mint product and order page for this item is at:
2008 Martin Van Buren $1 Coin Cover
Only 50,000 will be produced.
Martin Van Buren Individual Proof Coin
Martin Van Buren is featured in an individual pocket-sized card holding the proof version of the Presidential $1 Coin honoring his presidency.
The price tag for each is $5.95. There is the standard $4.95 standard shipping and handling charge, which makes the total cost more prohibitive unless ordering in quantity or with additional products. There is a 5 order limit in place for the proof singles. The U.S. Mint information and order page for this product is at:
Presidential $1 Coins – Individual Proof Coin™ – Martin Van Buren
No total product limit has been set.
Presidential $1 Coin & First Spouse Medal Set
This unique product includes an uncirculated Martin Van Buren Presidential $1 Coin and a bronze medal with a likeness of the "Van Buren’s Liberty" gold coin bearing the image of the Liberty Seated Dime coin which was minted from 1837-1891.
Martin Van Buren’s wife, Hannah, died in 1819, making him a widower for 18 years when he became president in 1837.
The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision for spouse coin and medal designs for presidents serving without a spouse. It states a design emblematic of Liberty is to be used on the obverse ("heads" side), as depicted on a United States coin issued during the President’s time in office. That is the reason for the selected Liberty Seated Dime design on Van Buren’s First Spouse Medal.
The set is priced at $7.95 with the same $4.95 shipping and handling charge. The U.S. Mint order and product information page for this set is at:
Presidential $1 Coin & First Spouse Medal Set – Martin Van Buren
No total product limit has been set.
Additional order information
On Monday, October 27, at 12:00 Noon ET, each product may also be ordered using the Mint’s toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
For additional holiday time products, read about the Mint’s 2008 Gift Catalog announcement.
