WASHINGTON — On October 11, 2012, at noon Eastern Time (ET), the United States Mint will begin sales for the first 2012 coin in the First Spouse Gold Coin Program. The coin’s obverse (heads side) features a portrait of Alice Paul, a leading strategist in the suffrage movement. Born during the term of President Chester Arthur, Alice Paul was instrumental in gaining women the right to vote upon the adoption of the 19th amendment and thus the ability to participate in the election of future Presidents.
The use of Paul’s image on the obverse of the corresponding First Spouse Gold Coin for President Arthur is required by a provision in the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–145). The purpose of the provision is to provide continuity in the First Spouse Gold Coin Program during times when the President served without a spouse. In the case of President Arthur, whose wife Ellen died before he took office, the public law specifies that the obverse design incorporate the name and likeness of Paul, who was born during the term of President Arthur, and that the reverse (tails side) be representative of the suffrage movement.
In addition to Paul’s portrait, the coin’s obverse includes the inscriptions ALICE PAUL, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 2012 and SUFFRAGIST. The coin’s reverse depicts a participant marching in the suffrage parade, holding the flag and wearing a banner that says VOTES FOR WOMEN. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, ½ OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.
First Spouse Gold Coins are struck in .9999 (24–karat) fine gold and are available in proof and uncirculated qualities. Maximum mintage for each of the 2012 coins is set at 13,000 across all product options. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof coins to uncirculated coins produced within the total maximum issuance of 13,000. Pricing for the coins is based on the United States Mint pricing strategy for numismatic products containing precious metals. For current pricing information, visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.
Orders for the Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement Gold Coin will be accepted at the United States Mint’s Web site, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, and at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders.
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792. This year marks the bureau’s 220th anniversary. The United States Mint 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. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self–sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on–sale date and time of October 11, 2012, at noon ET, shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored. For more information, please review the United States Mint’s Frequently Asked Questions, Answer ID #175.