This marks the sixth year of the First Spouse Gold Coin Series, the United States Mint’s first coin program to feature our Nation’s first spouses. A minimum of four one-half ounce, $10 24-karat gold coins will be minted and released annually in the order the spouses served in the position. In general, the gold coins issued to accompany any President who served without a spouse feature a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse, as depicted on a U.S. coin issued during the President's time in office. In the case of Chester Arthur, however, the public law specifies that the obverse (heads side) feature:
"...a design incorporating the name and likeness of Alice Paul, a leading strategist in the suffrage movement, who was instrumental in gaining women the right to vote upon the adoption of the 19th amendment and thus the ability to participate in the election of future Presidents, and who was born on January 11, 1885, during the term of President Arthur;" and that "the reverse [tails] ...be representative of the suffrage movement."
The coins are minted in proof and uncirculated qualities and are available individually. In 2012, the United States Mint will release four coins in the series – Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement, Frances Cleveland (first term), Caroline Harrison and Frances Cleveland (second term).
The obverse of this coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The reverse was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
