The Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin was be the twelfth release of the 24 karat gold series created to honor the President's spouses. It represented the fourth out of five releases for 2009. Typically the release schedule includes four issues per year, but the number is expanded to five on two occasions when a President had a first and second wife.
On the obverse of the Sarah Polk Gold Coin is her portrait, as designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The surrounding inscriptions include her name "Sarah Polk", the motto "In God We Trust", "Liberty", the order of the Presidency "11th", the years of the term "1845-1849", and the date and mint mark "2009 W".
The reverse carries a fitting scene of Sarah Polk working in her capacity as her husband's private secretary during his presidency. She has been the only First Lady to serve in this capacity. Within the series, this represents one of a handful of issues where the President and Spouse are pictured together. The reverse was also designed and sculpted by Hemphill and carries inscriptions "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum", "$10", and"1/2 oz. .9999 Fine Gold".
Sales of the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold coins began at the United States Mint on September 3, 2009. The coins were offered in proof version at an initial price of $654 and in uncircualted at $641. During the period of availability, prices were adjusted on numerous occasions in response to changes in the underlying price of gold. An ordering limit of ten coins per household was initially in place, but later removed.
During approximately one year of availability, the US Mint recorded overall sales of 8,658 coins. This was made up of 3,501 of the uncirculated version and 5,157 proofs. The overall sales level was above the prior two issues honoring Letitia and Julia Tyler.
Coin Specifications and Mintages
Date: 2009
Mint: West Point (W)
Mintage: 5,157 (proof), 3,501 (uncirculated)
Designers: Phebe Hemphill
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)
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US $799.00
