2011 Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coin

Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coin (Obverse), click to enlarge

The first strikes scheduled to appear in 2011 as part of the US Mint's First Spouse Gold Coin Program are the Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coins. When released, the coins will be struck to both proof and uncirculated condition.

These coins honor the wife of the 17th President of the United States, Andrew Johnson. However, they mark the eighteenth strike released in the series which debuted in 2007 honoring the spouses of the former Presidents. The Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coin will be followed later in 2011 by three more strikes in the series - Julia Grant Gold Coins, Lucy Hayes Gold Coins and Lucretia Garfield Gold Coins.

A bronze medal replica of the Eliza Johnson Gold Coins will also be struck by the US Mint.

Eliza married Andrew Johnson while at the very young age of sixteen. When her husband assumed the presidency after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, she moved to the White House, but only appeared publicly on two occasions due to poor health - a reception for Queen Emma of Hawaii and at her husband's birthday party in 1867.

Eliza Johnson Gold Coin Design

Eliza Johnson First Spouse Gold Coin (Reverse), click to enlarge

Obverse design: The obverse portrait of Eliza Johnson was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart. Also included on the obverse are the inscriptions of "ELIZA JOHNSON," "17th," "1865-1869" and "2011."

Reverse design: The reverse was designed by AIP Associate Designer Gary Whitley and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill to indicate Eliza's love of children. It shows three children dancing with the Marine Band fiddler in the background at Andrew Johnson's 60th birthday party. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "$10," "1/2 oz." and ".9999 FINE GOLD."   

Gold Coin Specifications & Information

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