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Polk First
Spouse Gold Available
by U.S. Mint The United States
Mint will release a gold coin in honor of Sarah
Polk at 12 noon Eastern Time (ET) on September
3, 2009. The one-half ounce 24-karat Sarah Polk
First Spouse Gold Coin will be available in
proof and uncirculated versions. Pricing will be
based on the United States Mint pricing
structure, available at http://usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=goldplat
Both the obverse (heads side) and the reverse
(tails) of the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin
were designed and sculpted by United States Mint
Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The coin's
obverse features her portrait and the
inscriptions SARAH POLK, 1845-1849, IN GOD WE
TRUST, LIBERTY and 2009. The coin's reverse
depicts her working in the White House in
support of her husband's career. Inscriptions on
the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E
PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, ½ OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.
An image of the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold
Coin is available at http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009Spouse.
Mintage for the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold
Coin is limited to 40,000 units across both the
proof and uncirculated product options. Customer
demand will determine the ratio of coins
produced. Orders will be limited to 10 coins per
product option per household for the first week
of sales. The United States Mint will reevaluate
this limit following the initial sales period
and either extend, adjust or eliminate it.
Bronze medals bearing the likeness of the
designs featured on the gold coin also will be
available for $3.50 each. There is no mintage or
order limit for these bronze medals. Collectors
may purchase the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold
Coin and Medal at the United States Mint's
secure Web site, http://www.usmint.gov, or by
calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and
speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may
call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and
handling fee of $4.95 will be applied to all
domestic orders.
Sarah Childress Polk received an education
traditionally available only to the most
privileged young women of her time, which made
her especially fitted to assist a husband with a
political career. She devoted her married life
to husband James K. Polk's political career,
organizing his campaigns, writing speeches,
handling his correspondence, and developing a
network of valuable political friendships.
Skilled in tactful conversation, Mrs. Polk
enjoyed wide popularity and deep respect. She
instituted many changes at the White House,
including its refurbishment and the installation
of gas lighting.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in
1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal
tender coinage. Its primary mission is to
produce an adequate volume of circulating
coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and
commerce. The United States Mint also produces
proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins;
Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and
platinum bullion coins.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public
have fair and equal access to United States Mint
products, orders placed prior to the official
on-sale date and time of noon (ET) on September
3, 2009, shall not be deemed accepted by the
United States Mint and will not be honored. For
more information, please review the United
States Mint's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
Answer ID #175. |