Tomorrow, September 1, 2011 at 12:00 Noon ET, the United States Mint will begin sales of the 2011 Lucy Hayes First Spouse Gold Coins. These one half ounce 24 karat gold coins feature the spouse of the 19th President.
The obverse of the coin features a portrait designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Don Everhart. The required inscriptions “Lucy Hayes”, “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, the order of the presidency, years of the term, date and mint mark surround. On the reverse is a scene of the First Lady cheering on two children participating in the first Easter Egg Roll held at the White House. This was designed by Barbara Fox and sculpted by Joseph Menna. The inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, the legal tender value, weight, and purity of the gold content.
Both proof and uncirculated versions of the coin will be available. The maximum mintage has been set at 15,000, across both options. Pricing will be $1,041 for the uncirculated coins and $1,054 for the proof coins. Under the US Mint’s numismatic gold coin pricing policy, this will be subject to potential weekly change based on the average market price of gold. There are no household ordering limits imposed.
This will be the twentieth release for the First Spouse Gold Coin Program. Provided the series is allowed to continue until the conclusion envisioned under the original legislation, we are now around the half way point.
Much has changed since the first two coins were released in June 2007. Back then, the maximum mintage was set at 40,000 and a rapid sell out was achieved. The prices for the coins were $410.95 for the uncirculated version and $429.95 for the proof.
Now, the mintage level is cut to a little more than a third, and no recent issues have sold the maximum. Early enthusiasm has given way to a seemingly dedicated following, supporting a low but steady level of sales. Issue prices are more than two and a half times the original level, following the continuing rise in the market price of gold.
Other News
The US Mint has now listed a release date of September 22, 2011 for the Gettysburg National Military Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin. The previous release featuring Mount Hood went on sale July 28, and has been experiencing slower sales than the first four issues. Further details of the Gettysburg coin will be posted as they become available.
The price of the 2011 Proof Platinum Eagle was adjusted lower today. Based on an average market price of platinum in the $1,750 to $1,849.99 range, the coins are now listed at $2,092. This is a reduction of $100 from the price previously in place. The US Mint has now sold 9,395 out of the 15,000 maximum mintage.
Earlier today, the United States Mint began sales of the Vicksburg National Military Park Quarter numismatic bags and rolls. This coin represents the ninth release for the America the Beautiful Quarters series.
The US Mint has re-priced the 2011 Proof American Silver Eagle and resumed sales today. The one ounce silver coins are now priced at $68.45 each, representing an increase of $8.50 from the original price of $59.95.
Late yesterday, the United States Mint resumed sales of the two commemorative gold coins honoring the Medal of Honor and its recipients and the U.S. Army. The $5 gold coins with gold content of 0.24187 troy ounces had been 
Also yesterday, there were developments for some of the US Mint’s silver numismatic products.
Earlier this week
On July 26, 2011, the US Mint released an album to hold a collection of America the Beautiful Quarters. Based on descriptions, the album holds one example of each of the 56 anticipated designs for the series and provides facts and information about each site.