US Gold Coins Dolley Madison First Spouse $10 Dollars Gold Coin
First Lady of the United States, 1809–1817
The obverse of the Dolley Madison Gold Coin featured her portrait, designed and sculpted by Don Everhart. The obverse inscriptions include “Dolley Madison”, “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, the order of the Presidency “4th”, the dates of the Presidential term “1809-1817″, and the date and mint mark “2007 W”.
The reverse of the coin features the First Lady during one of her most recounted moments. She saved the cabinet papers and a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington just before approaching British troops set the White House on fire. This famous act took place in August 1814. The reverse inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, the denomination “$10″, and the gold content and purity “1/2 oz. .9999 Fine Gold”. The reverse was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart.
Coin Specifications and Mintages
Mint: West Point (W)
Mintage: 17,943 (proof), 12,340 (uncirculated)
Designers: Don Everhart (obverse), Joseph Menna (reverse)
Composition: 0.9999 Gold
Weight: 0.5000 troy oz. (15.554 g)
Diameter: 1.041 inches (26.49 mm)
Thickness: 0.074 inches (1.88 mm)
The Dolley Madison First Spouse Gold Coin represented the fourth and final issue for the inaugural year of the series honoring the spouses of the Presidents. After the first day sell outs experienced for the prior three releases, expectations remained high. However, this release would represent the beginning of a drop in demand, which would continue into the following year.
Expecting demand to remain high for the series, the US Mint began sales of the Dolley Madison First Spouse Gold with ordering limits of one per option per household. Pricing was higher than the previous issue at $529.95 for proof coins and $509.95 for uncirculated coins due to the higher market price of gold.
A combination of the higher pricing and a recent downturn in secondary market prices for the earlier releases led to reduced sales for the Dolley Madison Gold Coins. A sell out of the maximum authorized mintage of 40,000 was not achieved. After approximately one year of availability, the final mintages reached 12,340 of the uncirculated version and 17,943 of the proof version.
Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne Todd Madison (was born in North Carolina May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849), though her parents returned the family to their home colony of Virginia when she was still an infant. The woman who captivated Washington, DC, society, and is remembered as one of the most charming and entertaining First Ladies of her era, was raised in Philadelphia as a Quaker.
Dolley was a widow when she met Representative James Madison, co-author of the Federalist essays and often called the "Father of the Constitution." The couple was married in 1794, and during her time in Washington, DC, while her husband served as Secretary of State, Dolley sometimes served as hostess in President Thomas Jefferson's White House. She also served as First Lady during her husband's Presidency.
In what was undoubtedly one of her most famous acts as First Lady, Dolley Madison was forced to flee the White House in advance of oncoming British troops in August 1814. She was overseeing the preparation of an elaborate dinner for the President, a dinner that was thoroughly enjoyed by British soldiers just prior to setting the mansion ablaze.
In an act of unmatched patriotism, Dolley Madison managed to save the Cabinet papers and the beautiful Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, which was hanging in the State Dining Room at the time. Thanks to her heroic efforts, this magnificent portrait of our first President is still enjoyed by visitors to the White House, where the portrait she saved still hangs today.
US Gold Coins
First Spouse Gold Coins Program
2007 First Spouse Gold Coins
Martha Washington Abigail Adams Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty Dolley Madison
2008 First Spouse Gold Coins
2009 First Spouse Gold Coins
2010 First Spouse Gold Coins
2011 First Spouse Gold Coins
2012 First Spouse Gold Coins
2013 First Spouse Gold Coins
2014 First Spouse Gold Coins
2015 First Spouse Gold Coins