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How to Collect U.S. First Spouse Coins

The United States Mint began the First Spouse program in 2007 with the issue of the half ounce .999 gold Martha Washington $10 coin. The program calls for the minting of four of these commemorative coins each year featuring the images of First Spouses or First Ladies in the order in which they served. In those instances when a President served without a First Spouse, as Thomas Jefferson did, a substitute image is used (such as Lady Liberty). Each issue is minted in Proof and Uncirculated condition and limited to a combined total of 40,000 coins. The recent increase in the price of gold has resulted in the melting of some of these coins, thus increasing the value of the remaining pieces. The following information and tips will help you get started with a First Spouse collection.

Things You'll Need

A high quality magnifying glass
A good light source
A copy of the "Red Book" guide to U.S. Coins

Instructions

- 1
  
  Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
  (Wife of George Washington)
  
  First Lady/April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797
- 2
  
  Abigail Adams
  (Wife of John Adams)
  
  First Lady/March 4, 1797 to March 4, 1801
- 3
  
  Martha Jefferson Randolph
  (Daughter of widower Thomas Jefferson)
  
  March 4, 1801 to March 4, 1809
  
  Note: The "Lady Liberty" image was substituted on this coin.
- 4
  
  Dolley Madison
  (Wife of James Madison)
  
  First Lady/March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817
- 5
  
  Elizabeth Kortright Monroe
  (Wife of James Monroe)
  
  First Lady/March 4, 1817 to March 4, 1825
- 6
  
  Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams
  (Wife of John Quincy Adams)
  
  First Lady/March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829
- 7
  
  Emily Donelson
  (Niece of widower Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson Jackson)
  
  March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1836
  
  Note: Donelson served as White House hostess and unofficial First Lady.
- 8
  
  Angelica Singleton Van Buren
  (Daughter-in-law of Martin Van Buren)
  
  March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1841
- 9
  
  2009 Scheduled Releases
  
  Anna T. Symmes Harrison (William Henry Harrison)
  Letitia C. Tyler (John Tyler)
  Sarah C. Polk (James K. Polk)
  Margaret M. Taylor (Zachary Taylor)
  
  * Pictured are tentative designs for the third year of the series.

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