Earlier today, May 7, the United States Mint released their collector 2015-W $10 Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse Gold Coins.
Available in finishes of proof and uncirculated, the gold pieces feature designs emblematic of Mamie, the wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower who was the 34rd President of the United States. Each is composed of one-half ounce of .9999 pure gold
First Spouse Gold Coins debuted in 2009 and honor spouses of the former U.S. Presidents in the order in which they served. New issues for 2015 include:
- 2015 Bess Truman First Spouse Gold Coins (released on April 16)
- 2015 Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse Gold Coins (this issue)
- 2015 Jacqueline Kennedy First Spouse Gold Coins (scheduled for release in June)
- 2015 Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins (scheduled for release in July)
These four coins represent the thirty-fifth through thirty-ninth in their series.
Designs of Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse Gold Coins
For the Mamie Eisenhower coins, two designs won among eleven candidate designs that included five obverse (heads side) portraits and six reverse (tails side) scenes based on her life. Design reviewing parties included the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee and the United States Commission of Fine Arts. Based on their comments and that of U.S. Mint officials, the Treasury Secretary made the final selections.
Designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Richard Masters, the obverse offers an over-the-shoulder look of the former First Lady, She is surrounded by inscriptions of "MAMIE EISENHOWER," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," "2015," "34th" and "1953 – 1961." Sculpting was completed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Reverses show a woman’s hand holding up a political campaign button with the slogan "I Like Mamie." The image is representative of Mamie’ involvement in her husband’s political campaigns and her popularity with the people.
Reverse inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "I LIKE MAMIE," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "$10," "1/2 OZ.," and ".9999 FINE GOLD." The design was created by AIP Designer Barbara Fox with sculpting by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon.
Pricing and Ordering
2015-W $10 Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse Gold Coins are available directly from the United States Mint at www.usmint.gov or via this link to the Mint’s gold coins. Telephone orders are also accepted at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Currently, the proof coin is $790 while the uncirculated coin is $20 less at $770. Pricing is subject to change weekly, as the U.S. Mint re-evaluates gold coin pricing based on market fluctuations.
Along with a certificate of authenticity, each coin ships encapsulated inside a custom designed, highly polished, dome-chested, lacquered hardwood presentation case. All First Spouse Gold Coins are struck at the U.S. Mint’s facility in West Point and bear the corresponding ‘W’ mintmark.
Mamie Eisenhower Bronze Medals
Bronze medal replicas of First Spouse Gold Coins are also produced by the United States Mint. Mamie Eisenhower bronze medals will be featured in two releases later this year.
This includes the Eisenhower Presidential $1 and First Spouse Medal Set that is due out on May 12 for $9.95. It will be followed in September with the 2015 First Spouse Medal Set that will feature bronze medal replicas of the four first ladies honored this year.
About Mamie Eisenhower
Mamie Geneva Doud was born in Boone, Iowa, on
Nov.14, 1896. She would grow up in several locations to include Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Denver, Colorado, and San Antonio, Texas.
On July 1, 1916, when Mamie was 19 years old, she would marry Dwight Eisenhower, an officer in the United States Army. Mamie accompanied Dwight to many of his postings.
In 1953, Dwight became the 34th President of the United States giving Mamie the title of First Lady. She assumed the official duties of hostess but was known to carefully guard her privacy.
Following their term in office, the Eisenhower’s retired to their farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Dwight died in 1969 with Mamie staying on the farm until the late 1970’s. She passed away on Nov. 1, 1979.
To learn more about Mamie Eisenhower, visit http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=35.
