United States Mint Shows Off First Consecutive Coin Series Featuring Women
CANTON, OHIO — Following last month's announcement that
the United States Mint would produce circulating Presidential $1 Coins in 2007, Director Edmund C. Moy
and a Dolley Madison re-enactor raised the curtain on designs for pure gold, collectible First Spouse
Coins that will coincide with the annual release of the Presidential $1 Coins.
"This marks the first time the United States Mint has featured women on a consecutive series of
coins," Director Moy told the crowd at the National First Ladies Library as the images of the four
24-karat coins were revealed. "Each coin is a half-ounce of pure gold. You might say they are the
Presidents' better half! Through this coin series, Americans will learn more about how the First Spouses
have served our country."
The 2007 First Spouse Coins feature the images of Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison in
the order in which their husbands served as President. Because President Thomas Jefferson's wife died
in 1782 before he was elected in 1801, a symbolic rendition of liberty, used on a coin of Jefferson's
era (Draped Bust Half-Cent: 1800-1808), will be featured on the third First Spouse Coin of the series.
The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 authorized the First Spouse Coins as the pure gold (.9999)
collectible counterparts of the circulating Presidential $1 Coins. The First Spouse Coins will have a
denomination of $10, but their 24-karat gold content will be worth considerably more than that. Prices
for the First Spouse Coins, which will be produced in proof and uncirculated versions, will be
determined closer to the sale date in May 2007, around Mothers Day. Bronze duplicate medals of the
First Spouse Coins will also be available.
The First Spouse Coins will be available in May 2007 on the United States Mint's website, www.usmint.gov,
or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. More information about the new coins is on the website.
The obverse (heads side) of these coins will feature portraits of the Nation's First Spouses, as well as
inscriptions that include their names, the years during which they were the spouse of a President during
the President's period of service, the year of minting or issuance, "In God We Trust" and
"Liberty." Each First Spouse Coin will also have a unique reverse design featuring an image
emblematic of that person's life and work, as well as the inscriptions, "The United States of America,"
"E Pluribus Unum," "$10," "1/2 oz." and ".9999 Fine Gold."
The obverses of the Martha Washington and Abigail Adams coins were designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna,
a United States Mint medallic sculptor. The obverse of the Dolley Madison coin was designed and sculpted
by Don Everhart, a United States Mint sculptor-engraver. The Jefferson obverse image of Liberty appeared
on the Draped Bust Half-Cent coin from 1800-1808, originally executed by United States Mint Chief Engraver
Robert Scot. The image was re-sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, a United States Mint medallic sculptor.
The Martha Washington reverse was designed by Susan Gamble of Arlington, Virginia, an Artistic Infusion
Program (AIP) Master Designer. The image was sculpted by Don Everhart, a United States Mint sculptor-engraver.
The reverse design depicts the future First Lady sewing a button onto her husband's uniform jacket. During the
Revolutionary War, Martha Washington's concern for the colonial soldiers earned their lasting respect and admiration.
The Abigail Adams reverse was designed by Thomas Cleveland of Houston, Texas, an AIP Master Designer. The image
was sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, a United States Mint medallic sculptor. In one of her most memorable letters,
Mrs. Adams requested that her husband "remember the ladies" when creating the new Republic. That
inscription is on this coin. John Adams acknowledged that Abigail Adams had as much political insight as any
of his colleagues, and that he valued her counsel above all others.
The reverse of the Thomas Jefferson coin was designed and sculpted by Charles Vickers, a United States Mint
sculptor-engraver. The reverse design depicts Thomas Jefferson's monument, located on the grounds of his
Monticello estate. Jefferson is widely recognized for his unmatched expertise with the written word.
Even in death, Jefferson left no room for interpretation, leaving careful and precise instructions detailing
exactly which words would mark his final resting place.
The Dolley Madison reverse was designed by Joel Iskowitz of Woodstock, New York, an AIP Master Designer.
The image was sculpted by Don Everhart, a United States Mint sculptor-engraver. The reverse design depicts
Dolley Madison, in an act of patriotism, saving the Cabinet papers and the beautiful Gilbert Stuart portrait
of George Washington, when forced to flee the White House in advance of oncoming British troops in August 1814.
For downloadable images of the First Spouse Coins designs, please click here.