Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins

The 8th and last commemoratives in 2008 to honor First Ladies, Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold coins were issued by the United States Mint on November 25, 2008.

Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins

Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins (Proof and Uncirculated) - Click to Enlarge

The 24-karat, one-half ounce $10 coins were first issued at prices of $549.95 and $524.94 for the proof and uncirculated versions. The Mint now updates numismatic bullion coin prices based on a weekly performance of gold so the prices may change weekly. (See First Spouse Coin Price Guide for latest Mint prices and sales figures.)

As dictated by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, since no First Lady officially existed during the Van Buren administration, the obverse (heads side) of Van Buren’s Liberty coin contains an image of Liberty taken from a coin minted during his Presidency.

In this case, it is the Liberty Seated Dime between 1837 and 1891 designed and sculpted by Christian Gobrecht. The reverse features a young Van Buren in front of the tavern owned by his family. This representation was designed by Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by Jim Licaretz.

(See large Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Coin images.)

Hannah Van Buren Biography (1783-1819)

Hannah Van BurenThe 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren lost his wife to what was believed to be tuberculosis a lengthy 18 years before he took office. Their marriage lasted a bit less than 12 years, but was thought to be one of loving devotion.

Born Hannah Hoes, his future wife grew up in the same small community of Kinderhook, New York as he did. They knew each other quite well as kids, and were first cousins.

Marriage would wait until Martin started his law practice and he was able to support a family, which would occur when they were 24 years of age. Hannah would bear six children with Martin, five sons and one daughter. The daughter was stillborn, and one of the sons would die in infancy.

Hannah was an accomplished hostess at her husband’s many functions thrown to advance his political career. She was also known to dedicate a lot of time to church activities. The birth of her last son would weaken her however, and in 1819 she died, apparently afflicted with tuberculosis. Martin would never remarry.

The first 20 months of his administration, Martin Van Buren would have to endure without an official hostess. In 1838, Angelica Singleton married Martin’s first-born son Abraham. From this point on, she would serve as lady of the house for the remainder of her father-in-law’s one and only term as President.

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