The United States Mint today revealed the 2009 First Spouse Gold Coin designs. The five one-half ounce $10 gold coins feature images portraying presidential spouses Anna Harrison, Letitia and Julia Tyler (first and second wives), Sarah Polk, and Margaret Taylor.
The gold, 24-karat (.9999-fine) coins enters their third year of production. They began in 2007 with the same release schedule as the Presidential $1 Coins. 2009 brings a uniquess to the series in that an extra coin will be struck because President Tyler’s first wife, Letitia, died in 1822 and he remarried Julia in 1884.
"The First Spouse Gold Coin designs give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives of the women who supported, promoted and often advised the men who led our country," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.
The U.S. Mint statement announcing the designs provided the following descriptions and images for each First Spouse Gold Coin (added are whitehouse.gov biography links):
Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison
The obverse of the Anna Harrison First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
The reverse design, by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers, depicts Mrs. Harrison sharing her passion for teaching with her students.
White House biography of:
Letitia Christian Tyler
The obverse of the Letitia Tyler First Spouse Gold Coin was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse, designed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Norman E. Nemeth, depicts Mrs. Tyler and her two oldest children behind their Cedar Grove Plantation, where she and John were married in 1813.
White House biography of:
Julia Gardiner Tyler
The obverse and reverse of the Julia Tyler First Spouse Gold Coin were designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
The reverse design depicts President and Mrs. Tyler dancing together at a White House Ball.
White House biography of:
Sarah Childress Polk
The obverse and reverse of the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin was designed and sculpted by Hemphill.
The reverse design depicts Mrs. Polk working in the White House in support of her husband’s career.
White House biography of:
Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor
The obverse of the Margaret Taylor First Spouse Coin features a portrait designed by Hemphill and sculpted by Vickers.
The coin’s reverse, designed by AIP Associate Designer Mary Beth Zeitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz, depicts Margaret Taylor comforting an injured soldier during the Seminole War.
White House biography of:
For more information regarding the gold coin series, visit the U.S. Mint or the CoinNews sister site about First Spouse Gold Coins.
