First Spouse Coinage

Presidential Dollar Homepage     Why a Presidential Dollar Coin?     Program Basic Facts
Release Schedule    Unique Edge Design     Hail to the Chiefs     Buy Presidential Dollars


The U.S. is minting a series of $10 coins (face value), containing a half ounce of gold, to honor the First Spouses of the nation.

The coins will feature portraits of presidential spouses, to be released in the order they served. As of now, all First Spouses have been female.

You can add to your First Spouse collection and find out more about the series by clicking the First Spouse Suggestions button at the upper right of this page.

The First Spouse coinage runs concurrently with the Presidential Dollar Coin Program.

Each coin will have a unique reverse design, emblematic of the First Lady's life and work or accomplishments during her husband's presidency.

The First Spouse coins of 2011 were unveiled by the Mint on Feb 03, 2011. The 2011 First Spouse coinage commemmorates Eliza Johnson, Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes and Lucretia Garfield.

The 2011 First Spouse coins will be issued one at a time throughout the year, spaced apart by several months. The release date for each coin will be announced by the Mint a few days or weeks prior to when the coin goes on sale.

First Spouse gold coinage will be produced continuously until at least 2016. The known release schedule is listed toward the bottom of this page.

The First Spouse coins measure about 1.043 inches in diameter, and must be struck in both Proof and Uncirculated versions. In addition, lower cost bronze medal duplicates measuring 1.3125 inches are being produced.

When a President served without a First Spouse, such as James Buchanan, a substitute coin will be minted. The obverse will bear an image of Liberty as seen on circulating coinage of that era, and the reverse will depict a theme reminiscent of that President. All coin images below are courtesy of the U.S. Mint.
Martha Washington Martha Washington coin obv Martha Washington coin rev
Years Served: 1789-1797 Released: 06-19-07
Martha Washington was the first First Lady of the United States. The reverse design depicts her sewing a button onto her husband's uniform jacket. Martha Washington's concern for the colonial soldiers earned lasting respect and admiration.


Abigail Adams Abigail Adams coin obv Abigail Adams coin rev
Years Served: 1797-1801 Released: 06-19-07
In one of her most important letters, Abigail Adams requested that her husband "remember the ladies" when creating the new country. John Adams stated that Abigail was sharp politically and valued her counsel above any of his colleagues.


Thomas Jefferson Presidency Thomas Jefferson first spouse coin obv Thomas Jefferson first spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1801-1809 Released: 08-30-07
Thomas Jefferson's wife died in 1782, so there was no First Lady during his administration. The obverse features Liberty as she appeared on the Half Cent coin of 1800-1808. The reverse shows his burial place and epitaph.


Dolley Madison Dolley Madison coin obv Dolley Madison coin rev
Years Served: 1809-1817 Released: 11-19-07
We today can thank Dolley Madison for saving the inspiring Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington. As British troops advanced toward the White House during the War of 1812, she got the portrait to safety before the building was torched.


Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse Elizabeth Monroe obv First Spouse Elizabeth Monroe rev
Years Served: 1817-1825 Released: 02-28-08
On Jan 1, 1818, Elizabeth and James Monroe held a reception to reopen the White House, rebuilt after its burning in 1814. Mrs. Monroe brought a sense of formality to the White House, donating her own furniture. Nine pieces remain in the WH today.


Louisa Adams First Spouse Louisa Adams obv First Spouse Louisa Adams rev
Years Served: 1825-1829 Released: 05-29-08
Louisa Adams was a talented musician, linguist, and author. She wrote a play Suspicion, or Persecuted Innocence while she lived in the White House, in which she stressed the strengths of women. She was the first First Lady to write her memoirs.


Andrew Jackson Presidency First Spouse Andrew Jackson obv First Spouse Andrew Jackson rev
Years Served: 1829-1837 Released: 08-25-08
Andrew Jackson's wife Rachel died after he won the Nov 1828 election, but before taking office. The obverse has Miss Liberty of the Capped Bust Half Dollar of 1807–1836. The reverse remembers Jackson as “Old Hickory,” a hero from the War of 1812.


Martin Van Buren Presidency First Spouse Martin Van Buren obv First Spouse Martin Van Buren rev
Years Served: 1837-1841 Released: 11-25-08
Martin Van Buren was a widower when he became president. His wife Hannah died in 1819. The image selected to represent Miss Liberty is her appearance on the Seated Liberty Dime of 1837–1891. The reverse shows young Martin reading outside the family tavern in Kinderhook, NY.


Anna Harrison Anna Harrison First Spouse coin obv Anna Harrison First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1841 Released: 03-13-09
Anna Harrison was too ill to travel from Ohio to Washington DC with her husband, and never served as First Lady in any capacity. The reverse shows Mrs. Harrison teaching children, a calling which she deeply cherished.


Letitia Tyler Letitia Tyler First Spouse coin obv Letitia Tyler First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1841-1842 Released: 06-04-09
Letitia Tyler suffered a severe stroke two years before her husband took office, and could not perform the role of First Lady. She died in 1842. The reverse shows Mrs. Tyler with her children at Cedar Grove Plantation, where she married John Tyler in 1813.


Julia Tyler Julia Tyler First Spouse coin obv Julia Tyler First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1844-1845 Released: 08-06-09
President Tyler married Julia Gardiner in a quiet ceremony on June 26, 1844. The new Mrs. Tyler eagerly took on the duties of First Lady. The reverse has Julia Tyler dancing with her husband at a White House ball.


Sarah Polk Sarah Polk First Spouse coin obv Sarah Polk First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1845-1849 Released: 09-21-09
Sarah Polk was one of her husband's most important assistants during his presidency. She helped write his speeches, handled his letters, and offered advice. President and Mrs. Polk are seen working together in the White House on the coin's reverse.


Margaret Taylor Margaret Taylor First Spouse coin obv Margaret Taylor First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1849-1850 Released: 12-03-09
By the time her husband became president, Margaret Taylor was in poor health. Preferring seclusion, she let her daughter, Betty, act as official hostess for White House events. The reverse shows Mrs. Taylor caring for a wounded soldier in the Seminole War of 1835 to 1842.


Abigail Fillmore Abigail Fillmore First Spouse coin obv Abigail Fillmore First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1850-1853 Released: 03-18-10
Abigail Fillmore established the White House library. The reverse of her coin shows her shelving books in the library.


Jane Pierce Jane Pierce First Spouse Coin obv Jane Pierce First Spouse coin rev
Years Served: 1853-1857 Release: 06-04-10
Jane Pierce often listened in on the Senate. She is shown in the visitors gallery of the Old Senate Chamber, where she witnessed debates on slavery.


James Buchanan Presidency James Buchanan First Spouse obv James Buchanan First Spouse rev
Years Served: 1857-1861 Release: 09-02-10
James Buchanan never married. Lady Liberty, as she appeared on the $2.50 Quarter Eagle, adorns the obverse. The reverse shows a youthful Buchanan working as a book keeper in his family's small store.


Mary Todd Lincoln Mary Lincoln First Spouse obv Mary Lincoln First Spouse rev
Years Served: 1861-1865 Release: 12-02-10
Mary Todd Lincoln was First Lady during the American Civil War. The reverse her visiting wounded Union soldiers, bringing flowers and books.


Eliza Johnson Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1865-1869 Release: 05-05-11
In her final days as First Lady, Eliza Johnson celebrated her husband’s 60th birthday by holding a ball for children only. Her coin features youngsters dancing to the tune of a Marine Band fiddler.


Julia Grant Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1869-1877 Release: 06-23-11
Julia Dent and Lt. Ulysses Grant were engaged in 1844. The reverse depicts their courtship. She was never far removed from his side as he rose to become commander of the Union army and US president.


Lucy Hayes Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1877-1881 Release: 09-01-11
Lucy Hayes and her husband hosted the first White House Easter Egg Roll in 1878, a tradition that continues to this day. The reverse shows Mrs. Hayes cheering on the Easter Egg rollers.


Lucretia Garfield Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1881 Release: 12-01-11
President Garfield was mortally wounded on July 2, 1881. His wife, Lucretia, won the nation’s respect for her strength and dignity throughout the ordeal. She was an avid painter, as her coin depicts.


Alice Paul Image NA Image NA
Did not serve as First Lady Release Date: 2012
 


Frances Cleveland Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1885-1889 Release Date: 2012
 


Caroline Harrison Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1889-1893 Release Date: 2012
 


Frances Cleveland Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1893-1897 Release Date: 2012
 


Ida McKinley Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1897-1901 Release Date: 2013
 


Edith Roosevelt Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1901-1909 Release Date: 2013
 


Helen Taft Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1909-1913 Release Date: 2013
 


Ellen Wilson Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1913-1914 Release Date: 2013
 


Edith Wilson Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1915-1921 Release Date: 2014
 


Florence Harding Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1921-1923 Release Date: 2014
 


Grace Coolidge Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1923-1929 Release Date: 2014
 


Lou Hoover Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1929-1933 Release Date: 2014
 


Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1933-1945 Release Date: 2014
 


Elizabeth Truman Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1945-1953 Release Date: 2015
 


Mamie Eisenhower Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1953-1961 Release Date: 2015
 


Jacqueline Kennedy Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1961-1963 Release Date: 2015
 


Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1963-1969 Release Date: 2015
 


Patricia Ryan "Pat" Nixon Image NA Image NA
Years Served: 1969-1974 Release Date: 2016
 





Back To The Top of Page

First Spouse Suggestions







Button: Ad Space #5
Click HERE for details
(160x160 pixels)


Button: Ad Space #6
Click HERE for details
(160x160 pixels)


Button: Ad Space #7
Click HERE for details
(160x160 pixels)


Button: Ad Space #8
Click HERE for details
(160x160 pixels)