WASHINGTON — The United States Mint today announced the designs for the 2012 First Spouse Gold Coins. The coins honor Alice Paul and the suffrage movement, Frances Cleveland (first term), Caroline Harrison and Frances Cleveland (second term).
Public Law 109–145, the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Act), contains a provision for the continuity of the First Spouse Coin Program in the event that a President served without a first spouse. In the case of President Chester Arthur, who was widowed before he took office, the Act specifically requires that the obverse (heads side) design for his corresponding First Spouse Gold Coin incorporate the name and likeness of Alice Paul, a leading strategist in the suffrage movement who was born during his term. The Act specifies that the reverse (tails side) design be representative of the suffrage movement.
The obverses of the 2012 24–karat First Spouse Gold Coins feature striking portraits of Alice Paul and the first spouses. Inscriptions on the coin honoring Alice Paul and the suffrage movement are her name, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 2012 and SUFFRAGIST. Inscriptions on the other three coins are the name, the order and years of the spouse’s time as first lady, the year of minting or issuance and the standard inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. The reverses bear unique designs emblematic of the suffrage movement and each first spouse’s life and work, with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, 1/2 oz. and .9999 FINE GOLD.
The obverse of the Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement Gold Coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The reverse, designed and sculpted by Hemphill, depicts a participant marching in the suffrage parade, holding the flag and wearing a banner that says VOTES FOR WOMEN.
The obverse of the first Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart. The reverse was designed by AIP Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Michael Gaudioso. The design depicts the working women’s receptions that Mrs. Cleveland held at the White House.
The obverse of the Caroline Harrison First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by AIP Associate Designer Frank Morris and sculpted by Gaudioso. The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Charles L. Vickers. The design represents Mrs. Harrison’s love of flowers and depicts a close–up of an orchid and paintbrushes.
The obverse of the second Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by Fox and sculpted by Hemphill. The reverse, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Joseph Menna, depicts an event emblematic of Mrs. Cleveland’s popularity with the public.
The new designs will also be featured on 1–5/16″ bronze medals, priced at $7.95 each. For scheduled coin and medal release dates, please visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Pricing for the gold coins will be based on the United States Mint’s pricing structure for gold and platinum products, also available at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.