2011 Lucy Hayes First Spouse Gold Coin

Lucy Hayes First Spouse Gold Coin (Obverse), click to enlarge

Coins in the series honor the spouses of the former Presidents of the United States with this specific strike honoring Lucy Hayes, wife of the nineteenth President Rutherford B. Hayes. Two coins will precede the Hayes strike in the series in 2011 including the Eliza Johnson Gold Coins and the Julia Grant Gold Coins. One strike will appear after the Hayes Coin, the Lucretia Garfield Gold Coins.

In addition to these 1/2 ounce gold coins, the US Mint will also be striking bronze medal replicas for sale to the public.

Lucy married Rutherford on December 30, 1852 at age 21, despite him being nine years her senior. The age difference appeared to affect them little, however, as she was said to be truly devoted to him even visiting him often while he was on duty during the American Civil War. Once in the White House, their belief in temperance led Rutherford to ban alcohol at official functions, but Lucy was later given the nickname "Lemonade Lucy" because of it.

Lucy Hayes Gold Coin Design

Lucy Hayes First Spouse Gold Coin (Reverse), click to enlarge

Obverse design: The obverse of the coin contains a portrait of Lucy Hayes as completed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by Don Everhart. Included as well are the inscriptions of "LUCY HAYES," "19th," "1877-1881" and "2011."

Reverse design: The inscriptions of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "$10," "1/2 oz." and ".9999 FINE GOLD" surround a scene showing Lucy participating in the first Easter Egg Roll on the grounds of the White House. It was designed by AIP Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by Joseph Menna.

Gold Coin Specifications & Information

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