2009 Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin

2009 Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin, Obverse - Click to Enlarge

Available in both proof and uncirculated conditions, the Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold coins were launched on September 3, 2009. It makes the twelfth coin in the spouse series and the fourth for 2009.

Each First Spouse coin is struck from one half ounce of 24-karat gold to a maximum mintage of only 40,000 across all product options. Sales for the coin have not been brisk, but have been about equal to levels experienced by previous spouse coins. In approximately their first two months of availability, 1,893 uncirculated Polk's sold and 3,512 proof.

A bronze medal replica of each spouse coin is also created by the Mint for purchase.

Sarah Polk, for her part, was extremely well educated for the time and a trusted advisor to her husband James. In fact, Sarah served as James' private secretary while he was President, something no other First Lady has ever done.

Sarah Polk Gold Coin Design

2009 Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin, Reverse - Click to Enlarge

Obverse design: Phebe Hemphill designed and sculpted the portrait of Sarah Polk that is found on the obverse of her coin. It also contains the inscription of her name "SARAH POLK" above the head of the portrait with "11th 1845-1849" below. Also seen are "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," "2009" and the mintmark "W."

Reverse design: The reverse was also designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill and showcases Sarah Polk and her husband, President James Polk, working at a desk in the White House. Also found on the reverse are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "E PLURIBUS UNUM", "$10", "1/2 OZ.", and ".9999 PURE GOLD."

Coin Specifications & Information

Product Availability