The United States Mint launched the 2011 Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins at 12 noon today, May 5, 2011. The Eliza Johnson coins are the eighteenth in the series and the first to be released this year. The one-half ounce, 24-karat gold coins went on sale with an opening price of $929.00 for the proof version and $916.00 for the uncirculated.
2011 Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins (Proof and Uncirculated)
Today is also the first day the US Mint released new images for the Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins. Up until this afternoon, only line art designs had been available.
The obverse of each coin features a portrait of Eliza Johnson. It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
On the reverse, three children dance while a Marine Band fiddler plays at the children’s ball that was held for President Johnson’s 60th birthday. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Gary Whitley designed the image and United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill sculpted it.
The Eliza Johnson coins are struck for collectors and each bear the West Point ("W") mint mark. They are sold individually and come encapsulated in a clear plastic coin holder within a custom-designed lacquered hardwood presentation case. A Certificate of Authenticity from the Mint is also included. The First Spouse Gold Coins have a face value of $10 and are limited to a maximum mintage of 15,000 across both options.
The Mint produces First Spouse coins to coincide with the release of the Presidential $1 Coin, but this time the coins’ debuts were separated by more time than in the past. The Andrew Johnson $1 coin entered circulation on February 17, 2011, which was 71 days prior to Eliza’s coin launch. Last year, the Mint released the first of the 2010 coins much earlier. The Abigail Fillmore coins launched on March 18, 2010.
Pricing for gold pieces can change weekly, usually in $25 increments up or down, based on the London Fix weekly average price of gold. The current price will last at least until Wednesday morning, when the Mint reevaluates the market. The Mint has been using this flexible pricing policy since January 12, 2009.
The United States Mint is also offering an Eliza Johnson Bronze Medal for $7.95. The medal features the same designs and the $10 gold coins.
Buyers can order the Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins or bronze medal at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A $4.95 shipping and handling charge will be added to all domestic orders. There are no per household order limits in place.
Eliza Johnson was the wife of the seventeenth President of the United States, Andrew Johnson, who served in the White House between 1865-1869. Other presidential spouses being honored in the series later this year will be Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes, and Lucretia Garfield.
When the Mint launched the Johnson coins, it removed the Abigail Fillmore First Spouse proof gold coins from availability. Sales for the companion Fillmore uncirculated coins were halted in late March. As of Sunday, May 1, 2011, the Mint had sold 9,609 of the coins. Broken out, collectors took 3,489 of the uncirculated versions and 6,120 of the proofs.
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