A new series of gold coins was authorized along with the Presidential Dollars. To compliment the release of a golden colored, circulating dollar coin for each Presidency, a 24 karat one half ounce gold coin would be issued to represent each of the First Ladies. The first coins were released in mid-2007, with four or five coins issued per year since.
The First Spouse Gold Coins carry some unique specifications. The legal tender face value was set at $10, for one half ounce of gold content. Other one half ounce gold coins have denominations of $25. The diameter for each coin is 26.49 mm with a thickness of 1.88 mm. Edges of the coin are reeded.
Different designs are created for each of the releases. The obverse contains a portrait of the First Lady being honored. The reverse carries an illustration representative of her life, accomplishments, or best known moments. If there was no spouse for a Presidency, then an image of Liberty graces the obverse and a scene from the President’s life is on the reverse.
First Spouse Gold Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
2007- ongoing |
| Mints: |
West Point |
| Composition: |
99.99% gold |
| Weight: |
0.5000 ounces |
|
15.554 grams |
| Diameter: |
1.041 inches |
|
26.49 mm |
bullion First Spouse
The United States Mint will launch a new series of silver bullion coins in 2010 featuring the designs of the America the Beautiful Quarters. Although the designs will be duplicates of the corresponding quarters, there will be several unique aspects to the series. It will represent the highest weight and largest diameter bullion coin currently offered by the US Mint.
Following the quarter series, there will be a total of 56 different coins released during the years 2010 to 2021 featuring National Parks and sites in each state, territory, and D.C. Designs will take on a more dramatic appearance, as the details will appear sharper than the quarter dollars. Each National Park or site will also have the chance to be depicted on a larger 3 inch canvas instead of the small 0.96 inch size of the quarter.
America the Beautiful Silver bullion coins will be struck on a newly purchased coin press at the Philadelphia Mint, although the coins will not have a mint mark. The silver fineness of .999 and the bullion weight of 5.0 troy ounces will be indicated on the edge of the coin incused lettering. All coins have a thickness of 0.16 inches.
American the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
2010- ongoing |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
| Composition: |
99.9% silver |
|
0.01% copper |
| Weight: |
5.0 ounces |
| Diameter: |
3.0 inches |
| Thickness: |
0.16 inches |
bullion America the Beautiful
The series of Draped Bust Quarters represented the first design for the denomination. Introduced in 1796, and then after a production gap, struck from 1804 to 1807 with a different reverse, these coins have several interesting aspects for collectors. Two years have remarkably low mintages and the first issue represents an important one year type coin.
The Draped Bust Quarter was designed by Robert Scot. On the obverse Liberty appears facing left with her hair tied in a ribbon and folds of drapery across her bust. There are fifteen surrounding, which represented the current number of states in the union. The initial reverse design featured an eagle surrounded by a wreath of olive and palm tied with a ribbon. From 1804 to 1807, the obverse contained only 13 stars and the reverse featured a heraldic eagle with a shield before its chest and an olive branch and arrows in its talons.
The coins were struck in a composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The standard weight was 6.74 grams and diameter 27.5 mm. For the initial design, the denomination was not indicated, but for the second design it appeared as “25 C.” on the reverse.
Draped Bust Quarter Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1796, 1804-1807 |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
| Composition: |
89.24% silver |
|
10.76% copper |
| Weight: |
6.74 grams |
|
0.22 ounces |
| Diameter: |
27.5 mm |
|
1.07 inches |
quarters draped bust
Starting in the year 1965, the silver content was taken out of the Roosevelt Dime. For the years 1946 to 1964, the coins had been struck in 90% silver. The new composition was copper-nickel clad. This consisted of an inner core of pure copper with outer layers composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The overall composition of the coins resulted in 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
For the first three issues after the composition change, no mint marks were used on Roosevelt Dimes. This was done in an effort to prevent hoarding by collectors. The mint marks were restored in 1968 for Denver and San Francisco mint issues. Philadelphia began using a mint mark in 1980.
The obverse design of the Roosevelt Dime features the head of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The reverse features a lit torch with branches of olive and oak to either side.
Clad Roosevelt Dime Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1965-present |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
91.67% copper |
|
8.33% nickel |
| Weight: |
2.27 grams |
|
0.07 ounces |
| Diameter: |
17.91 mm |
|
0.71 inches |
dimes Roosevelt
One of the most curious compositions was created through efforts to save nickel for the World War II effort. The Jefferson Nickel had its composition completely changed to completely exclude nickel. The new composition adopted consisted of copper, silver, and manganese. This composition was used from October 1942 to 1945.
To differentiate the Silver War Nickels from the standard composition, the mint mark was moved to the reverse of the coin, where it appeared in large size above the Monticello dome. Even coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint would carry the “P” mint mark, representing the first time that it was used. Previously mint marks had been used only for branch mint coins.
After 1945, the regular composition of the Jefferson Nickel was resumed. Many silver nickels were saved and those that circulated were later removed when the price of silver made their intrinsic value greater than their face value.
Wartime Jefferson Nickel Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1942-1945 |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
56% copper |
|
35% silver |
|
9% manganese |
| Weight: |
5.0 grams |
|
0.16 ounces |
| Diameter: |
21.21 mm |
|
0.84 inches |
nickels Jefferson