The 2014 Grace Coolidge First Spouse Gold Coins are now available for sale from the United States Mint. The one-half ounce 24 karat gold coins are issued to honor the wife of President Calvin Coolidge and the First Lady of the United States from 1923-1929.
The obverse of the coin contains a portrait of Grace Coolidge surrounded by the required inscriptions. Her name “Grace Coolidge” appears above, with the motto “In God We Trust” to the left, “Liberty” and the “2014” date to the right, and the order of the Presidency “30th” and dates served “1923-1929” below. The “W” mint mark is also incorporated to signify mintage at the West Point Mint. The obverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse design represents Mrs. Coolidge’s advocacy for the deaf and hearing impaired. Prior to becoming First Lady, she had worked as an instructor at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts. While in the White House she brought national attention to the deaf and hearing impaired including a photo opportunity with famous deaf and blind author Helen Keller on the South Portico Steps.
On the reverse of the coin, three hands are shown finger spelling the letters USA in American Sign Language against the backdrop of the White House. The inscriptions include “United States of America”, the motto “E Pluribus Unum”, and the precious metal weight and purity. The reverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Frank Morris and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.
Each coin is struck in .9999 fine gold with a weight of one-half troy ounce. The diameter is 26.50 mm and the thickness is 1.88 mm. Both proof and uncirculated versions are available with a combined maximum mintage of 10,000 pieces. The ratio of proof to uncirculated coins will be based on customer demand.
The initial pricing for the coins is established at $865 for the proof version and $845 for the uncirculated version. This pricing is based on an average market price of gold within the $1,300 to $1,349.99 range and may be subject to potential weekly change.
There will be four releases for the First Spouse Gold Coin Program this year. The first coin honoring Florence Harding was released on July 10, 2014. The forthcoming releases honoring Lou Hoover and Eleanor Roosevelt have not yet been scheduled.
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