Four bronze medals, each honoring a different First Spouse of the Presidents who served between 1865 and 1881, are featured in the United States Mint 2011 First Spouse Bronze Four-Medal Set that launched just over one week ago.
Specifically, the medals bear the likenesses of Eliza Johnson, wife of President Andrew Johnson; Julia Grant, married to President Ulysses S. Grant; Lucy Hayes, President Rutherford B. Hayes’s spouse; and Lucretia Garfield, wife of President James Garfield.
With a price of $19.95, the set is a bargain compared to buying each bronze medal separately. At $7.95 each, the four First Spouse medals would cost a heftier $31.80.
The four-medal set’s packaging has the 1 and 5/16-inch strikes enclosed in Mylar’s clear plastic within a folded card inside a custom-made envelope. The folded card also contains United States Mint product information.
The medal designs mimic the images found on this year’s First Spouse Gold Coins. Although the medals are struck in Philadelphia, no mint mark was placed on the issues. The obverse of each shows a portrait of the First Lady while the reverse depicts a scene from her life.
Design details for each of the bronze medals follows. Links are also provided to the CoinNews.net articles published earlier this year which announced each First Spouse Gold Coin and medal release.
The reverse portrays three children at a ball that was held for President Johnson’s 60th birthday. They are dancing and a Marine Band fiddler is playing in the background. It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Gary Whitley and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The portrait on the obverse was designed by U.S. Mint AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
The reverse depicts younger versions of Julia and Ulysses as they enjoy horseback riding. The image was designed by U.S. Mint AIP Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
The obverse portrait was designed by U.S. Mint AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The reverse has an image of Lucy Hayes cheering as children participate in the first Easter Egg Roll held at the White House. It was designed by U.S. Mint AIP Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
The obverse with her portrait was designed by U.S. Mint AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
The reverse design highlights Lucretia’s interest in art as it features her sitting and painting on a canvas with a brush and palette. The image was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The portrait on the obverse was designed by United States Mint AIP Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
Order Details
The 2011 First Spouse Four-Medal Set and gold coins are available online at the Mint website (http://catalog.usmint.gov/) and toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
There are no per household order limits are in place. The Mint indicates shipping will take one to two weeks.
I just rcvd my set on Friday the 9th. Even with the naked eye, I immediately noticed several scratches on each of 2 of the obverses. Looking closer w/ a magnifying glass, Lucretia Garfield and Julia Grant had numerous deep cuts and surface scars on their forehead, cheeks, etc…It was not the mylar wraaping that was cut, it was the coins. I’m returning them Monday, but it seems to me it’s about time the MINT started packaging these 1st Spouse Coins with some care and respect. This flimsy mylar junk just invites damage.
The Mint has multiple issues. It is time for some major changes. We need a director that cares about collectors. So many are disillusioned. There are too many coins being issued. It is damaging the hobby and value of collectable coins. I recently ordered a proof silver eagle that had 2 major scratches on the obverse. There is also a lack of Quality Control.
Dumb Question… Who elects the Director and How Long does he serve?
Timmay!