WASHINGTON — Beginning noon Eastern Time (ET) on December 2, the United States Mint will open sales for proof and uncirculated quality Helen Taft First Spouse Gold Coins. Maximum mintage for the coins is set at 10,000 units across all product options. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof coins to uncirculated coins produced within the total maximum mintage. Pricing will be based on the United States Mint’s pricing structure, available at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.
The obverse (heads side) of the Helen Taft First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist William C. Burgard and executed by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design features Mrs. Taft’s portrait and the inscriptions HELEN TAFT, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 2013, 27th, and 1909 – 1913. The coin’s reverse (tails side) was designed by AIP artist Richard Masters and executed by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Charles Vickers. The design features a branch of Japanese cherry blossoms, symbolizing Mrs. Taft’s instrumental role in bringing the cherry trees to Washington, D.C. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, ½ OZ., and .9999 FINE GOLD.
The United States Mint accepts orders at its online catalog, 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 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It 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 numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold 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 December 2, 2013, 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.