Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin
2009-W Sarah Polk First Spouse Coin
The Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coin was be the twelfth release of the 24 karat gold series created to honor the President’s spouses. It represented the third of five releases for the year. Sales began at the United States Mint on September 3, 2009.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Sarah Polk. She served as the First Lady during the Presidency of her husband James K. Polk from 1845 to 1849 . The obverse inscriptions include “Sarah Polk”, “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, the order of the Presidency “11th”, the years of the Presidential term “1845-1849″, and the date and mint mark “2009 W”. The obverse was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse of the coin features Sarah Polk working in her capacity as her husband’s private secretary during his presidency. She has been the only First Lady to serve in this capacity. Sarah Polk is also credited with instituting several important changes at the White House, such as opening it twice a week to all visitors. The coin’s 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 of the coin was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
Sarah Polk First Spouse Gold Coins were available in both proof and uncirculated finishes with a maximum of 40,000 coins authorized across both options. The coins were initially priced at $654 and $641 for the proof and uncircualted versions, respectively. Prices have been subsequently adjusted in response to the rising price of gold.
As of May 2010, the US Mint has reported sales of 4,651 proof coins and 2,812 uncirculated coins. The Sarah Polk First Spouse Coins are expected to remain available for sale for approximately one year from the initial release date.
Sarah Polk First Spouse Coin Specifications
- Year: 2009
- 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)
