Following hot on the heels of yesterday's release of the 2016 Platinum Eagles, the US Mint is today releasing the Nancy Reagan First Spouse Gold coins.
The First Spouse Gold coin series is a companion series, of collectors coins in gold, to the Presidential Dollar coin series. Along with the release of each circulating presidential dollar design is also released a 1/2oz gold coin honouring the first spouse that accompanied their partner to the White House. In 2016, the U.S. Mint is releasing the final three coins in the series honoring Patricia Nixon, Betty Ford, and now Nancy Reagan.
2016 Nancy Reagan First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Obverse
This marks the 10th and final year of the First Spouse Gold Coin Series, the U.S. Mint’s first coin program to recognize the impact and contributions that these often overlooked individuals have made to American history and society.
During her husband's tenure as president Nancy Reagan spearheaded a public anti-drug campaign as a part of the “war on drugs”. The campaign was aimed at discouraging recreational drug use, especially amongst children and encouraged them to”just say no” to drugs.
2016 Nancy Reagan First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Reverse
This is the inspiration for the reverse design of the coin, where Nancy Reagan is depicted with her arms around two children wearing t-shits with the slogan “JUST SAY NO” emblazoned on them. The scene is framed by a circular border that separates the portrait from the legend inscribed along the rim. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appears to the top, and "E PLURIBUS UNUM", "$10", "1/2 OZ." and ".9999 FINE GOLD" is written is slightly smaller lettering to the bottom. The reverse was designed by AIP Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
In keeping with the design of both the presidential dollar program and the first spouse program the obverse is dominated by an Effigy of Nancy Reagan, designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. At the top of the coin, along the rim, appears "NANCY REAGAN" and "40th" and "1981-1989" at the bottom. The further inscriptions of "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "LIBERTY" "2016" appear in the fields to the left and right of the main portrait respectively. The mintmark “W” can be seen just below the date, indicating the coin was minted at the West point Mint.
2016 Nancy Reagan First Spouse Proof Gold Coin in Box
The 1/2oz gold $10 coin is released in both proof and uncirculated finishes. The 26.5mm(1.043 inch) coin is issued in a custom–designed, highly polished, dome-chested, lacquered hardwood presentation case along with a certificate of authenticity. The coin has a combined mintage of 15 000 coins(for proof and uncirculated combined). The US Mint has placed an order limit of one coin per household(for each option). At the time of release the proof option was listed for $865.00 and the uncirculated coin was marked at $845.00 each on the US Mint's website.
