Posted on 12/15/2006 11:27:47 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Not to be outdone by their husbands, the first ladies are getting their chance to shine on the nation's coins. Starting next year, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and all the rest will begin appearing on a new series of gold coins.
It will be the first time in history that the U.S. Mint has produced a series featuring women.
While a new presidential series will be $1 circulating coins, the wives will be on half-ounce gold coins with each likely to sell for more than $300.
Both coins were authorized by Congress in 2005 with lawmakers modeling the $1 coin series after the Mint's extremely popular 50-state quarters.
The hope is that changing the images on the presidential coins every three months will spur greater interest and help the maligned dollar coin finally achieve acceptance with Americans. The Susan B. Anthony dollar, introduced in 1979, and the Sacagewea, introduced in 2000, have both been flops.
The half-ounce gold coins for the spouses have been designed to appeal primarily to collectors, although the Mint will be offering bronze medal duplicates that will sell for a more affordable $3 to $4.
The first four coins are scheduled to go on sale around Mother's Day next May, but the public will get a first look at the designs at an unveiling ceremony on Tuesday at the National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio.
As with the presidential coins, there were be four new coins honoring the spouses introduced each year, and the Mint is hoping to teach a little history with the spouse series.
"I think Americans are going to take a look at these coins, which are very original, and be drawn to finding out more about the first ladies," Mint Director Edmund Moy said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The first coin in the series features a stern-looking Martha Washington, wearing a bonnet, on one side with a depiction of her mending a soldier's jacket on the other side and the phrase, "First Lady of the Continental Army."
The drawing of Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, the fourth president, shows her in front of the famous George Washington portrait that she saved before the British burned the White House in the War of 1812.
Thomas Jefferson's wife died before he became president so the gold coin for his administration will feature a symbolic representation of Lady Liberty that appeared on a half-cent coin during the time Jefferson was president.
Jefferson was one of five presidents who were not married during their time in the White House.
The legislation directs that all presidents be honored on the $1 coin and all spouses be honored on the gold coins. But they must have been dead for two years before they can be depicted on a coin.
On the Net:
U.S. Mint: http://www.usmint.gov
This handout artist rendering provided by the U.S. Mint shows the proposed Martha Washington gold coin, the first of the First Spouse series. Not to be outdone by their husbands, the first ladies are also getting their moment to shine on the nation's coins. Starting next year, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and all the rest will begin appearing on a new series of gold coins. (AP Photo/US Mint)
The Medusa coin.
Will Hellary be on the two bit coins?
I'm pretty sure Hillary's been dead at least 2 years.
I can't wait to see Hillary's coin.
Will Dolly Madison's coin feature an image of a cupcake?
American royalty.
Regards.
I heard Hillary will be on the 3 dollar coin.
Both sides will be tails.
IIRC martha washington has appeared on US paper currency before, so this is not such a new thing. the 'dead 2 years' clause prevents any possible manipulation in the current clinton-bush alternating presidency scheme.
This opens the door for Martin Luther King to replace Ben Franklin on the $100. Expect it.
why not....after all....didn't he have a dream???
to be on the $100 bill....
Call me paranoid, but the constant changes in our currency are making me a little bit concerned. Seems like every bill in my wallet (when there is some) is different even when it is the same denomination. On top of that, we now celebrate with our national currency distinction everything and nothing. This is one of the things that flimsy currencies in third world countries do - picture pineapple fields or toucans or some other silly nonsense. It would seem to me to be the perfect way of introducing the sense of temporary and disposable national montary policy...
The plug nickle.
Don't get me wrong. I think Jackie Kennedy was a good first lady because she didn't interfere in politics, and conducted herself with dignity, despite that horrible family she married into.
The press, in their constant worship at the Kennedy altar, will stampede to the mint if a Kennedy coin is struck.
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