Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin
2008-W Martin Van Buren’s Liberty Gold Coin
Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin was the eighth release of the series created to honor the President’s spouses. It also represented the final release for the year 2008. Coins went on sale at the United states Mint on November 25, 2008.
The obverse of the coin features the image of Liberty which originally appeared on the Liberty Seated Dime. This design was used in accordance with the authorizing legislation which stipulates that when a President served without a spouse, an image of Liberty from a circulating coin of his era will be used. The Liberty Seated Dime was minted between 1837 and 1891. The obverse inscriptions include “Liberty”, “8th Presidency”, “In God We Trust ~ 2008″, the dates of the Presidential term “1837-1841″, and the mint mark “W”. The obverse was originally designed by Christian Gobrecht.
The reverse of the coin features a young Martin Van Buren reading a book under a tree. The tavern operated by his family in Kinderhook, New York is visible in the background. The reverse inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, the denomination “$10″, the gold content “1/2 oz.”, and the gold purity “.9999 Fine Gold”. The reverse was designed by Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by Jim Licaretz.
Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Coins were available in both proof and unciruclated finishes. The proof version was initially offered at $549.95, and the uncirculated version at $524.95. These prices were adjusted numerous times after the United States Mint adopted a new pricing policy, which allowed them to update prices frequently in response to the price of gold.
The last reported sales figures for the Van Buren’s Liberty coins were 7,515 proof coins and 4,334 uncirculated coins. Sales of the coin ended on December 3, 2009.
Martin Van Buren’s Liberty Coin Specifications
- Year: 2008
- Mint Mark: W
- Edge: Reeded
- Weight: 0.5000 troy oz. (15.554 g)
- Composition: 0.9999 Gold
- Diameter: 1.041 inches (26.49 mm)
- Thickness: 0.074 inches (1.88 mm)
- Recent Sales Figures: 7,171 (proof), 4,129 (uncirculated)
