WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today officially announced the five new designs that will appear on the 2009 First Spouse Gold Coins.  The designs pay homage to Anna Harrison, Letitia and Julia Tyler-the first and second wives, respectively, of President John Tyler-Sarah Polk and Margaret Taylor.

“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/.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm and is filed under Coin Articles, gold coins, Presidential and Presidential Spouse Coins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.