Starting in 2007, the U.S. Mint created a series of coins known as the First Spouse gold coins. These coins are designed to honor the U.S. Presidents' wives by depicting their images on half-ounce gold coins. The coins feature the image of the spouses' lives and work on the reverse, and are being issued on the same schedule as the Presidential $1 coins that are currently in circulation.
These First Spouse gold coins have a face value of $10 and sell for market gold price plus a premium, and are all marked with the traditional text, including an inscription stating that the coins are .9999 Fine Gold. The coins have been proven to be very popular amongst coin collectors and those interested in investing in gold as well.
Some of the U.S. Presidents did not have a spouse while they were in office. Instead of skipping those Presidents in the collection, the U.S. Mint issues a coin with an image of Liberty relevant to the era that the President served in, with a reverse image of themes from the life and times of the particular President being honored. So far, you can find Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Jefferson's Liberty, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams, Jackson and Van Buren's Liberty, Anna Harrison, Letitia and Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk, and Margaret Taylor.
The U.S. Mint also produces these coins in a bronze medal duplicate form, giving people another option for their collection. Four coins are slated to be released each year, through 2016, ending with President Nixon's wife. The rest will be scheduled for release at a later time, and there will be some years where five coins are issued, as some of the Presidents had more than one wife while they were in office. Interestingly enough, only one more of the coins will feature an unmarried President's Liberty, which will appear in 2010 for James Buchanan.
Collecting gold coins is a great hobby for just about anyone who enjoys it. There is so much to learn and a great amount of value in the gold coin collecting world that it can benefit people in a variety of ways. By releasing coins in commemorative sets like the First Spouse gold coins, the U.S. Mint is encouraging the collection and investment in gold for all Americans and those who enjoy the hobby. You won't find another collection that is actually worth its own investment, because gold coin collecting is ultimately worth its weight in gold, as they say. For coin collectors and those who are authorized to deal gold coins, the First Spouse gold coins are a great collection to add to your coin inventory.
Alan LeStourgeon runs an informational and auction website featuring gold coins where you can read lots of articles on buying and investing in coins and gold bullion.
Author: Alan LeStourgeon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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