The final release of the year for the series honoring the First Ladies of the United States was the Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Gold Coin. She was the wife of the 20th President James A. Garfield.
The coins officially went on sale at the US Mint on December 1, 2011. The maximum mintage remained the same as other issues for the year at 15,000 pieces across the proof and uncirculated versions. The initial pricing was $1,029 for the proof version and $1,016 for the uncirculated version, which was adjusted weekly based on the market price of gold. Sales are expected to continue until the maximum mintage has been sold or for approximately one year, although unexpected early sell outs have sometimes occurred.
The Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Coin follows the design format of the series with a portrait of the First Lady on the obverse. The required inscriptions "Lucretia Garfield", "In God We Trust", and "Liberty" appear, along with the order of the Presidency, the year of the term, and the date and mint mark of the coin.
On the reverse is a scene of Lucretia Garfield painting. She holds a brush in one hand and a palette in the other. This design had been recommended by both the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, and eventually selected by the Treasury of the Secretary. The inscriptions surrounding include "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum", the legal tender face value, and weight and fineness of the gold content.
The obverse was designed by US Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Barbara Fox. The reverse was designed by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Coin Specifications
Date: 2011
Mint: West Point (W)
Mintage: TBD
Designers: Barbara Fox (obverse), Michael Gaudioso (reverse)
Composition: 0.9999 Gold
Weight: 0.5000 troy oz. (15.554 g)
Diameter: 1.041 inches (26.49 mm)
Thickness: 0.074 inches (1.88 mm)