WASHINGTON – Uncirculated versions of the 2009-dated coins in the Presidential $1 Coin Program will be available beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on April 2, 2009.   The 2009 Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Set^TM, priced at $15.95, contains coins bearing dramatic portraits of Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor on the obverses (heads side).

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will begin sales of the First Spouse Gold Coin honoring Anna Harrison-wife of the Nation’s ninth President, William Henry Harrison-at noon Eastern Time (ET) on March 5, 2009.  Struck at the United States Mint at West Point, the one-half ounce 24-karat gold coin will be available in proof and uncirculated conditions.

CHARLES CITY, Va. – As the Nation paused to observe Presidents Day, the United States Mint launched the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin in a ceremony today at the Berkeley Plantation, the former President’s home. Participants at the event were the first in the Nation to get the new $1 coin, which goes into circulation on February 19.

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will release its ninth Presidential $1 Coin into circulation on February 19, in honor of President William Henry Harrison.  Collectors can begin ordering 25-coin rolls of William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coins on the same day, February 19, at noon Eastern Time.  The rolls are priced at $35.95.

WASHINGTON – Proof versions of the circulating Presidential $1 Coins scheduled to be released this year will be available in one set beginning 12 noon Eastern Time on February 10, 2009.  The 2009 United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set ^TM, priced at $14.95, contains coins honoring William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.  Each coin has a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty.

“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 obverse designs of the First Spouse Gold Coins feature striking portraits of the Nation’s first spouses.  Inscriptions on the obverse include the spouses’ names, the years during which they were the First Spouse, the order of their husbands’ service as President, the year of minting or issuance, IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. The coins’ reverse feature unique designs emblematic of each spouse’s life and work.  Inscriptions on the reverse include THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, 1/2 OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The new designs also will be featured on 1-5/16″ bronze medals to be issued in 2009.

To view or download an image of the 2009 First Spouse Gold Coin designs, go to:
http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#2009Spouse

To learn more about the First Spouse Gold Coin Program, visit:  http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/firstSpouse/.

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint began accepting orders for Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin at noon Eastern Time on November 25, 2008. The 24-karat gold collectible coin is available in a proof version priced at $549.95 and an uncirculated version priced at $524.95.

WASHINGTON – Who was the first President born in the United States?  The answer may surprise you.  It was Martin Van Buren, and on November 13, 2008, the United States Mint will release into circulation a Presidential $1 Coin in his honor.

WASHINGTON – Presidential $1 Coins struck in honor of Martin Van Buren will go on sale November 13, 2008, at noon Eastern Time.  Dubbed “The Red Fox of Kinderhook” for his red hair, political acumen and birthplace in New York, Martin Van Buren is the eighth President honored in the multi-year program.  Produced at the United States Mint facilities in Denver and Philadelphia, the Presidential $1 Coins are intended for use in routine financial transactions.

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today released the four new portraits that will appear on the obverse (heads side) of Presidential $1 Coins in 2009.  The coins honor former Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

“We hope Americans not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the Presidential $1 Coins, but also remember each President’s legacy every time they use the coins in their daily transactions,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  “Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use, save the taxpayers money, and are durable and last for decades.”

Beginning with the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin next year, “In God We Trust” will appear on the obverse of all Presidential $1 Coins.  As a result, the edge lettering of the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will be slightly different from that of 2007 and 2008.  Where currently there are single dots (delimiters) between the inscriptions, in 2009 there will be three stars between “E Pluribus Unum” and the mint mark and 10 stars between the year of minting and “E Pluribus Unum.”

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 directed the United States Mint to inscribe the year of minting or issuance, and the national mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” on the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin.  In 2008, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included a provision directing the Secretary of the Treasury to move the inscription “In God We Trust” from the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin to the obverse (heads side) or reverse (tails side) of the coin.

Designs for the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins are based on official White House portraits, intaglio prints and medal designs.  The first Presidential $1 Coin of 2009, struck in honor of our ninth President, William Henry Harrison, bears an image sculpted and designed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.  The second Presidential $1 Coin of 2009, honoring John Tyler, our Nation’s 10th President, bears an image designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.  The third coin, honoring the 11th President, James K. Polk, features an obverse portrait designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.  The fourth coin, honoring Zachary Taylor, our 12th President, features an obverse portrait by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.   The reverse design on all Presidential $1 Coins features a rendition of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Launched in 2007, the Presidential $1 Coin Program features a series of designs honoring four Presidents annually, with a new coin issued approximately every three months.  Since the inception of the multi-year program, the United States Mint has minted more than 1.4 billion new $1 coins.