First Spouse Series – Gold Coins

Throughout history, investing in precious metals, especially gold, has been a reliable way for individuals to grow their personal wealth. Although precious metals are subject to fluctuations in value, they have generally proven to be more stable than equities or fiat currencies.

Gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals are readily available in the form of coins, rounds and bars. They are produced by both government and private mints and are an excellent option for individuals looking to expand and diversify their investment portfolio.

For investors and collectors interested in gold investing, the US Mint First Spouse Commemorative ½ oz. .9999 $10 Gold Coin Series an excellent starting point. This series offers affordable coins with tasteful design and high collectible value.

First Lady Coins / First Spouse Gold Coins

Coins honoring First Ladies, also known as First Spouse gold coins, were issued between 2007 and 2016 to commemorate the wives of former U.S. presidents, who are depicted on the $1 presidential coins issued during the same period. Initially, the series sold well, and the first designs were issued in high quantities averaging 40,000 coins. However, it turned out that demand was lower than expected, so the number of coins produced was reduced. As a result, there was a shortage of coins in later years, creating a gap in the market and making certain coins even more desirable. Due to the high demand, their resale value increased significantly.

Among the coins of the series, the Liberty coin with the image of Thomas Jefferson, issued in 2007, holds the record for proofed mintage: 19,823 uncirculated and 19,815 proof coins were minted (39,638 coins in total). At the other end of the spectrum, there were only 2,168 uncirculated coins from Lucretia Garfield, also with proof minting.

Design of the first lady coins

In accordance with United States law prohibiting the depiction of living persons on currency, only deceased First Ladies were included in the design of the coins. The series began with Martha Washington and ended with Nancy Reagan. All coins have a standard diameter of 26.49 mm and thickness of 1.88 mm.

In cases where presidents such as Thomas Jefferson – USA – 10 Dollar – 2007 – First Spouse Series – Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty – NGC MS70 and James Buchanan were unmarried or widowed during their terms, the obverse of the coins show the image of Liberty instead of a portrait. The reverse side shows a picture depicting the most important issues related to the life or term of office of each president. One exception was Chester A. Arthur’s coin, which featured women’s rights activist Alice Paul during his tenure.

On the obverse of the coins are portraits of the First Ladies, above the portraits are their names and the terms of office of their husbands. The inscription “In God We Trust” is on the left side of each portrait, while the word “Liberty” and the year of minting are on the right side.

The reverse of each coin features an illustration depicting important aspects from the life of the respective First Lady. Other inscriptions include “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and the specifications of the coin. These include the face value of $10, the weight of ½ ounce (troy ounce), and the quality characteristic of .9999 (24-karat gold).

How is Thomas Jefferson remembered today?

Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, played an important role in the nation’s early years. He was the first Secretary of State from 1789 to 1794, the second Vice President from 1797 to 1801, and the third President from 1801 to 1809. Jefferson was notably responsible for organizing the significant Louisiana Purchase.

Thomas Jefferson’s exceptional writing talent is widely recognized. Even after his death, he made sure there was no ambiguity by giving meticulous and explicit instructions on the specific services to be honored at his final resting place. His monument on the grounds of his Monticello estate bears the inscription: “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson: Author of the American Declaration of Independence, of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.

The First Spouse Gold Coin Program is the United States Mint ‘s tribute to our nation’s first spouses. It includes the issuance of half-ounce, $10 gold coins depicting first spouses in order of service. This program coincides with the schedule for the $1 presidential coins used to honor presidents. The authorization for the First Spouse gold coin program comes from the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-145).

In cases where a President served without a first spouse, a gold coin is minted with an image on the obverse depicting Liberty as depicted on a circulating coin from that era. On the reverse is an emblematic image on a theme from the life of the President. On the coin are engraved the years and the order of the presidential term.

List of First Spouse gold coins

The First Spouse gold coins are minted in the order in which the individuals served as the first spouse.

Martha Washington (1789-1797)

Abigail Adams (1797-1801)

Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty (1801-1809)

Dolley Madison (1809-1817)

Elizabeth Monroe (1817-1825)

Louisa Adams (1825-1829)

Andrew Jackson’s Liberty (1829-1837).

The Freedom of Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

Anna Harrison (1841)

Letitia Tyler (1841-1842)

Julia Tyler (1844-1845)

Sarah Polk (1845-1849)

Margaret Taylor (1849-1850)

Abigail Fillmore (1850-1853)

Jane Pierce (1853-1857)

James Buchanan’s Freedom (1857-1861).

Maria Lincoln (1861-1865)

Eliza Johnson (1865-1869) – USA – 10 Dollar – 2011 – First Spouse Series – Eliza Johnson – NGC MS70

Julia Grant (1869-1877)

Lucy Hayes (1877-1881)

Lucretia Garfield (1881)

Alice Paul, suffragist (1881-1885)

Frances Cleveland (first term) (1885-1889).

Caroline Harrison (1889-1893)

Frances Cleveland (second term) (1893-1897).

Ida McKinley (1897-1901)

Edith Roosevelt (1901-1909)

Helen Taft (1909-1913)

Ellen Wilson (1913-1914)

Edith Wilson (1915-1921)

Florence Harding (1921-1923)

Grace Coolidge (1923-1929)

Lou Hoover (1929-1933)

Eleanor Roosevelt (1933-1945)

Elizabeth Truman (1945-1953)

Mamie Eisenhower (1953-1961)

Jacqueline Kennedy (1961-1963)

Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson (1963-1969)

Patricia Ryan “Pat” Nixon (1969-1974)

Elizabeth Bloomer “Betty” Ford (1974-1977)

Nancy Reagan (1981-1989)

Barbara Bush (1989-1993)

If you are interested in adding to your personal coin collection, or if you are in the numismatic trade, these coins offer a fantastic investment opportunity. They are highly sought after on the market and have limited availability, which makes them even more valuable. The first First Spouse gold coins, including Martha Washington, Jefferson’s Liberty, and Dolley Madison, were produced in relatively large quantities, but are still small enough to be considered valuable acquisitions.