CHARLES CITY, Va. — The United States Mint celebrates a new $1 coin today to honor John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States. Former President Tyler’s grandson, Harrison Tyler, joined United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart to celebrate the coin’s release. The event took place at Sherwood Forest Plantation, the home of President Tyler. The official launch of the coin into general circulation is May 21.
“The John Tyler Presidential $1 Coin is the 10th coin issued by the United States Mint to honor those who have served in our Nation’s highest office,” Brunhart said. “Americans will be reminded of President Tyler’s contributions each time they use the coin, and we hope that will be often. The Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use for everyday commerce and 100 percent recyclable. They also are great teaching tools.”
Brunhart and Tyler gave each child under 18 years old a new John Tyler Presidential $1 Coin to commemorate the event. There was no coin exchange at the event. However, collectors may purchase rolls of John Tyler Presidential $1 Coins beginning at noon Eastern Time on May 21, at www.usmint.gov or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). There is no order limit on the rolls of Presidential $1 Coins.
The obverse (heads side) of the John Tyler Presidential $1 Coin features a dramatic portrait of the former President and the inscriptions JOHN TYLER, IN GOD WE TRUST, 10TH PRESIDENT and 1841–1845. The coin’s reverse (tails) bears the image of the Statue of Liberty. The inscriptions 2009, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the mint of origin (P or D) are incused on the coin’s edge.
John Tyler was born in 1790 to a prominent Virginia planter family. Tyler, a lawyer, served as a Virginia state delegate and governor, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator. He also served as vice president for one month under President William Henry Harrison. Tyler was the first vice president to take office following the death of his predecessor. At that time, the U.S. Constitution was not clear on succession. Rather than give up the office or accept limits on his power, President Tyler assumed all the duties and powers of an elected president, setting an important precedent. President Tyler supported Texas statehood, a controversial proposition at the time. He signed the bill annexing Texas three days before leaving office after his defeat in the election of 1844. Tyler retired to his Virginia home, Sherwood Forest, named to reflect his political “outlaw” status. He died in Richmond, Virginia, in 1862.
The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue Presidential $1 Coins to honor the U.S. Presidents in the order in which they served. Four new designs will be released annually.
To view and download high–resolution images of the circulating John Tyler Presidential $1 Coin, go to: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#Pres
Background information on the Presidential $1 Coin Program is available at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/coin/index.cfm
Lesson plans are available for download at: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/