Two new First Spouse Gold coins launched from the United States Mint. The Jane Pierce First Spouse Gold Proof Coin and Uncirculated Coin released at noon Thursday, June 3rd.
These 24-karats one-half ounce gold coins are being added to coin collections around the world. The special gold series started in 2007 and honor the spouses of each U. S. President. According to the law that began the collector coins, at least four new First Spouse Gold Coins will be struck each year in the order first lady’s served through 2016.
The U.S. Mint set the maximum mintage of Jane Pierce coins at 15,000. Previous coins released between 2007 and 2009 had higher 40,000 mintages, but only the first few releases reached sell outs. More recent sales, like those of early 2009 released coins, ended up between 8,000 and 10,000. The slimmer mintages are more than fine with collectors of the series, with their scarcity as compared to other gold offerings a potential windfall many years down the road.
The Jane Pierce First Spouse Gold Coins are fifteenth in the series and the second ones to be released in 2010. Abigail Fillmore coins were released March 18, 2010. Each coin is struck at the United States Mint at West Point and has the ‘W’ mint mark. The face value of each is $10 and both are legal tender.
The initial release price is $779 for the proof and $766 for the uncirculated. Prices are determined by the United States Mint pricing policy and can change weekly based on the price of gold.
Jane Pierce Information
The former First Lady married Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth President of the United States, after a long courtship in 1834. At the time, Franklin was serving New Hampshire as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. A few years later, he became a U.S. Senator.
Pre-Civil War debates brewed while the couple was in Washington. Jane attended the Senate gallery in the U.S. Capitol Building on occasion and watched heated discussions about slavery.
Eventually, she was able to convince her husband to resign from his Senate post, but after he served in the Mexican-American War and took a few years to work at his law practice, Franklin was back into politics and won the United States Presidency in 1852. There he served from 1853 to 1857.
Gold Coin Designs
Jane Pierce’s portrait is featured on the obverse surrounded by the inscriptions JANE PIERCE, 14TH 1853-1857, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 2010.
United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver designed both sides of the coin. The obverse was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, and the reverse was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.
The reverse side illustrates Jane as she sat in the visitor’s gallery of the Senate Chamber listening to a debate. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, 1/2 OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.
To order, visit http://www.usmint.gov/ or call the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling TTY 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
Also available are bronze medal versions of these coins for $5.50.
You must log in to post a comment.