Yesterday, the US Mint began sales of the 2011 First Spouse Bronze Medal Set. There are four medals included which feature “likenesses” of the First Spouse Gold Coins issued for the 17th to 20th Presidencies.
Specifically, the medals feature the First Ladies Eliza Johnson, Julia Grant, Lucy Hayes, and Lucretia Garfield. Each medal is struck in bronze and has a diameter of 1 – 5/16 inches.
The designs are the same as the one-half ounce 24 karat gold coins with some inscriptions removed. The obverse features a portrait and inscriptions indicating the name, order of the Presidency, and years as First Spouse. The reverse of each medal does not include any of the inscriptions appearing on the gold coins, so instead the image extends all the way to the edge.
Each of the four medals was made available for sale individually at $7.95 each, coinciding with the release of the corresponding gold coin. The four coin sets released on December 1, 2011 are priced at $19.95 each, representing a savings of $11.85 compared to the individual pricing.
Based on the images on the US Mint’s website, the packaging for the set has changed again. From 2007 to 2009, the envelope was bronze colored and illustrated with line art renderings of each medal’s design. For 2010, the “black bar” style was used reflecting the US Mint’s newly adopted “brand promise and identity”. This year seems to have a white bar dominating most of the design.
Some collectors have chosen to collect these medals as a less costly alternative to the half ounce gold coins. Some of the earlier sets and individual medals have sold out at the US Mint and sell for premiums on the secondary market. The 2007 sets received some added attention when collectors discovered a mule error in some sets, which combined the obverse of the Abigail Adams medal with the reverse of the Louisa Adams medal.
Within the past month, the US Mint has released some other noteworthy bronze medals. These were the bronze reproductions of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to the Nisei Soldiers of World War II and the Apollo 11 astronauts and John Glenn.
Sam says
This is the best economical way to collect the set
RSF says
With the rapidly escalating price of bronze these days, I’m pleased they’ve been able to keep the price increase for this set to just under 60% in the last couple years.
Wylson says
These sets are cool. It gives a low cost way to get all these.
charles says
Michael, I saw on coinupdate that the november sales of the atb 5 oz coins was 3300. Do you have new ytd totals. It looks like Chickasaw may set a new low mintage…and VIcksberg may also be below 33,000
Hidalgo says
I have every set from 2007-2010. I’ll buy one of every set until the series ends. Also, I bought the Nisei Soldiers of World War II and also, the Apollo 11 astronauts and John Glenn medals.
I don’t care about appreciation in the years ahead. These bronze medals are fun to collect and as long as I enjoy them, they are worth their weight in gold (or siilver)…. 🙂
Falcon says
Thats what coin collection should be like. Too many times I see flippers worried about thier items , if they will make a profit or if they will be stuck with them. Other times I see them bragging about how they got around the system. They were able to get more coins then they deserve, leaving the true collector having to pay a sinful profit.to the same greedy flipper.
Its good to here someone who just enjoys collection.
auxmike says
I refuse to give flippers a dime extra for what it sold for direct. I see people here boasting how they got TEN ASE 25th annv sets! Shammmmmmeeeee!
simon says
For all you Lincoln cent fans here’s a penny for your thoughts :
http://tinyurl.com/77lx283
PS: I always pick up a penny off the ground when I see one. Hope you’ll enjoyed this great story!
Samuel says
Last time, somebody said French mint will release a dragon coin. Whats the link? Thanks.
Fosnock says
They are still showing the year of the rabbit, but here is the URL http://www.monnaiedeparis.fr.
Samuel says
what a difference! when the 25th set was discussed, there were hundreds posts here. now,….
Two Cents says
Samuel,
The Nov. 25th blog titled “25th Anniversary Set Update” is still going at it … up to 271 posts now.