Today, Aug. 20, the United States Mint released 2020-W $10 Barbara Bush First Spouse Gold Coins in collector qualities of proof and uncirculated.
An extension of a series last seen from the U.S. Mint four years ago, the coins honor Barbara Bush, wife of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. Each features a portrait of the former first lady and is struck from one-half ounce of 24-karat gold.
Barbara Pierce was born in New York City on June 8, 1925. She married George H.W. Bush on Jan. 6, 1945 while he was on leave from his wartime deployment as a Navy pilot. As first lady, she promoted volunteerism to support such causes as homeless, HIV/AIDS patients, and the elderly, but she was best known for her efforts in family literacy. Barbara passed away on April 17, 2018, at the age of 92.
Barbara Bush Gold Coin Designs
Appearing on the coins’ obverse (heads side) is a portrait of the first lady. The image was created by AIP artist Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
Around the likeness are inscriptions of "BARBARA BUSH," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," "2020," "41st" and "1989-1993" for her years as first lady.
Reverses (tails side) feature a design emblematic of Barbara’s advocacy for family literacy. The image, created by AIP artist Barbara Fox and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw, shows a person reading a book with an open road before them, symbolizing literacy, knowledge, and life’s journey. A depiction of the sun appears above, representing the promise of a brighter future.
Inscribed around the reverse design are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "$10" "1/2 oz.," and ".9999 FINE GOLD."
Coin Specifications
| Denomination: | $10 |
| Finish: | Uncirculated |
| Composition: | 99.99% Gold |
| Diameter: | 1.043 inches (26.49 mm) |
| Weight: | 0.5000 troy oz. (15.554 grams) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | West Point — W |
First Spouse and Associated Presidential Coins
The Barbara Bush coins are issued by the United States Mint as a continuation of its First Spouse Gold Coin Program, which was originally authorized under the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-145). Also part of this same Act is $1 coins honoring the Presidents themselves.
The coin programs were extended earlier this year with the passage of the President George H.W. Bush and First Spouse Barbara Bush Coin Act (Public Law 116-112).
A George H.W. Bush Presidential $1 Coin will be issued with an on-sale date announced by the U.S. Mint later this year.
Pricing, Ordering and Limits
Prices are $1,360 for the proof and $1,340 for the uncirculated. These are subject to change weekly according to the U.S. Mint pricing schedule for gold coins. Current prices are based on an average of LBMA gold that is within the range of $1,950.00 to $1,999.99 an ounce.
Barbara Bush First Spouse Gold Coins are available directly from the United States Mint online store for gold products.
Mintage limits are 3,000 for the proof and 2,000 for the uncirculated. In addition, an initial household order limit of one per version applies.
so is this presidential/first spouse coin thing going to be permanent?
c_q –
It is up to Congress under its oversight of all coinage matters as laid out in the USA Constitution. This gold coin & the President George H.W. Bush presidential $1 coin out later this year required a new Public Law passed by Congress & signed into law by President Trump.
Talk about an overpriced gold coin!! 1/2 ounce of gold for $1340 & $1360 = $2700 an ounce if you order one of each Proof & Unc. …ouch! Lol
NumisdudeTX
I will save my money and buy my annual British sovereign next year and accept it will probably cost me $600 by then.
Hope the mint got $1340 and/or $1360 for the spouse coins that they likely illegally sold! Likely they sold those for under $1000. Will we ever know the full story on their actions? What a scam and shame.
I was fortunate and Blessed to have had the resources to acquire a complete set of First Spouse Gold Proofs and Uncirculated coins….but as Michael Corleone said “just when I got out they pull me back in!” The Mint did that to me. I had the “choice” but did I really? When a “series” is retired it should be retired period in 2016….not to continue 4 years later! Unless we are all given a special dispensation by the Almighty I will not be here for the First Spouse Gold issued in 2100. Mercy! as most Numismatists I enjoy coin collecting… Read more »
It will be hard for the Mint and Congress to not continue the program when “others” can qualify under the initial law with all the PC police out there. I stopped collecting long term series because of age, cost and not knowing if Kids/ Grand kids would want to continue collecting. Based on the actions of the Mint, not sure I want to encourage them to collect. Congratulations on your set. I was only interested in a few Spouses and Presidents. Might buy from time to time but overall I’m out. The joy is not there now.
Given the expense and the limited interest in the First Spouse series as evidenced by the mintages, I wonder if your coins will ever be worth more than melt. At least you’ve done reasonably well due to the rise in the price of gold.
I’ve got a complete set too and would imagine that the floor on these will be the purchase price, rather than the price of gold. They are beautiful and extremely rare sets, with less than 2000 in existence… My alternative facts! lol
I’m waiting for a fraternity boy Gee W coin,He He He He!!!!
The Mint lowered the price on these by $25 each Proof & Unc. just 6 days after 1st day of issue, on this Wednesday, August 26. You can return them within 7 days of getting them in the mail & signing for them & reorder them & save $50. Such a deal!
NumisdudeTX