2011-W $10 Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Gold Proof Coin

Appearing as the last proof strike of the series in 2011 will be the 2011-W $10 Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Gold Proof Coin. It also marks the twenty-first coin in the series which debuted in 2007 to honor the former First Spouses of the United States.

Mintage: 15,000 maximum
Sold Out: TBD
Authorizing Coin Law
U.S. Mint Online Site

Lucretia married James A. Garfield in 1858 and the two immediately set-up household rather than going on a honeymoon. Answering his nation’s call, Garfield enlisted in the Army during the American Civil War and rose to prominence.

James then turned to politics and eventually was elected as the 20th President of the United States. While in the White House, Lucy is said to have not had much interest in the duties of First Lady but provided a hospitable residence nonetheless to all who visited.

Previous First Spouse Gold Coins

Twenty coins will have been struck to honor the former First Spouses by the US Mint before the Lucretia Garfield Coin is minted. Those twenty are shown below:

  • 2007 – Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Jefferson’s Liberty and Dolley Madison
  • 2008 – Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams, Jackson’s Liberty and Van Buren’s Liberty
  • 2009 – Anna Harrison, Letitia Tyler, Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk and Margaret Taylor
  • 2010 – Abigail Fillmore, Jane Pierce, Buchanan’s Liberty, Mary Todd Lincoln
  • 2011 – Eliza Johnson, Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes

Those coins above including the name "Liberty" indicate that the associated President was not married while in office. As such, the mythical figure of Liberty will seen on the coins. If the serving President had more than one wife while in office, both will be featured on separate coins (as the 2009 Letitia and Julia Tyler Coins indicate).

Issue Information

Each First Spouse gold coin is struck from 1/2 ounce of .9999 fine gold.

Release Date

The Lucretia Garfield First Spouse Gold Coin should be released by the US Mint on December 1, 2011.

Issue Price

The issue price for First Spouse coins is dictated by the US Mint’s precious metal coin pricing matrix which ties the price of the coins to the average of the previous week’s London Fix for gold.

U.S. Mint Production Facility

The US Mint facility in West Point strikes all of the First Spouse Gold Coins. As such, the ‘W’ mintmark is present on each coin.

Designer & Sculptor

The portrait of Miss Garfield shown on the obverse was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.

Shown on the reverse of the strike is an image of Lucretia painting, a well-known passion of hers. It was designed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Mike Gaudioso.

Coin Specifications

Face Value: $10
Finish: Proof
Composition: .9999 fine gold
Standard Weight: 0.5000 troy oz. or 15.554g
Standard Diameter: 1.043 inches or 26.49 mm
Edge: Reeded

Related Products