The United States Mint today officially announced the five new designs that will appear on the 2009 First Spouse Gold Coins. The designs pay homage to Anna Harrison, Letitia and Julia Tyler-the first and second wives, respectively, of President John Tyler-Sarah Polk and Margaret Taylor.

“The First Spouse Gold Coin designs give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives of the women who supported, promoted and often advised the men who led our country,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.

The obverse designs of the First Spouse Gold Coins feature striking portraits of the Nation’s first spouses. Inscriptions on the obverse include the spouses’ names, the years during which they were the First Spouse, the order of their husbands’ service as President, the year of minting or issuance, IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY. The coins’ reverse feature unique designs emblematic of each spouse’s life and work. Inscriptions on the reverse include THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $10, 1/2 OZ. and .9999 FINE GOLD.

The obverse of the Anna Harrison First Spouse Gold Coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Associate Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The reverse design, by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers, depicts Mrs. Harrison sharing her passion for teaching with her students. (more…)

The Perth Mint has announced that it will resume taking orders for a popular range of gold and silver bullion coins from 12 January 2009.

The announcement follows an earlier Perth Mint communication advising clients that as a result of unprecedented worldwide demand, it had been forced to close its new order book for gold and silver bullion coins, except its 1oz Kangaroo gold bullion coin. Orders for popular numismatic products and Depository/Certificate products were, and continue to be, unaffected.

Due to its reputation and extensive connections in the bullion market, the Western Australian State-owned Mint continues to have no problem sourcing wholesale gold and silver. The decision to temporarily suspend taking new orders for gold and silver bullion coins was purely a result of the 100 per cent utilisation of its production capacity.

As of 12 January, the Mint will be resuming orders for a streamlined range of 1oz and 1kg Australian Koala, Australian Kookaburra and Australian Lunar silver bullion coins, as well as 1oz Lunar gold bullion coins.

By limiting the range to these coins and the 1oz Kangaroo gold bullion coin, the Mint expects to be able to increase production volumes from existing production capacity. (more…)

United States Mint at West Point Begins Producing 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin

WEST POINT, N.Y. -The United States Mint at West Point invited officials from numismatic organizations and reporters to witness the historic first production strike of the highly anticipated 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin today. The new 24-karat (.9999 pure) gold coin is a modern version of what many call the most beautiful gold piece ever created-Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ 1907 Double Eagle. The United States Mint will begin taking orders for the new collectible gold coin early next year.

United States Mint Director Ed Moy struck the first coin, which will be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. He struck a second coin as an addition to the United States Mint’s heritage assets.

“This gold ultra high relief coin, evoking Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ 1907 Double Eagle with Liberty striding forward, is one of the world’s most beautiful coins,” Director Moy told the crowd. “The United States Mint is proud to render the vision of President Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens in a way that honors our past and raises the bar for the future. One hundred years from now, I believe the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin will be remembered as the birth of the greatest American century in coin-making history.”

In the early 1900s, President Roosevelt called for a “renaissance” in American coinage. He thought the coins of that era were unattractive and wanted them to embody the national identity of the United States and its preeminence on the world stage. Roosevelt chose Augustus Saint-Gaudens to redesign America’s coins. Saint-Gaudens was a renowned sculptor and artist who shared the President’s vision for expressing America’s national identity visually through art. However, despite Saint-Gaudens’ masterful design for a $20 gold piece with ultra high relief, it could not be mass produced using the technology of that era. (more…)