First Spouse Gold Coins
What in the world are First Spouse Gold Coins? Basically what they sound like. Released by the US Mint, these coins will commemorate each US First Lady. For the few presidents that weren’t married when they entered office, Lady Liberty will take the place of the spouse.
If you’ll notice, they didn’t call these the First Lady coins. I think that’s because Hillary Clinton is actually a possibility to be our next President. That would make Bill a First Husband, which wouldn’t fit in with this series very well.
Why do we care?
Hah - very good question, and I know you’re thinking it. Well, these coins are made of 1/2 ounce of pure .9999 Gold, with a $10 face value. Unfortunately you can’t actually buy these coins for $10 ( I’d buy them all! ). Currently the price of gold is $862 per ounce - which makes the coin’s metal value about $431. Naturally you’ll pay a premium since the gold is in the form of a very nice coin rather than a lump of metal. For 2008, the available coins are Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Adams, Andrew Jackson’s Liberty, and Martin Van Buren’s Liberty. Different coins will be available each year.
The coins can be purchased either as a collectible, or even as an investment. The value of gold has skyrocketed in recent years, and who knows what the future holds. The value could continue to climb, or it could freefall. That’s part of the risk, of course.
Where can I buy these coins?
Directly from the US Mint. The price is subject to change ( pretty wildly, I’d imagine ), but currently coins are available for $529.95 for the “proof” version. I’m not recommending that you go spend your life savings on gold coins - that would be a bad decision ( unless gold skyrocketed in value, of course ). But it’s neat to have options, and buying a nice, solid, shiny gold coin from the US government is kind of neat. Who wouldn’t like to have a half ounce gold coin sitting around?
Popularity: 23% [?]
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:05 am
I didn’t know about these coins. look pretty neat.
I got the US gold buffalo coins last year. but i stoppped buying after gold crossed 700/oz
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I prefer the looks of the Gold Eagle to the First Spouse, but they’re still pretty neat. Congrats on getting in on some Buffalo’s while gold was cheap. I’d like to get in on some gold, but it’s hard to convince myself it’s still going up.
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 am
yeah its tough buying at these prices.
however Marc Faber was on CNBC India yesterday and said that “Gold is attractive at $948″!!!
he said “bernanke doesn’t understand how the economy works” and that printing more dollars to solve every little problem will devalue the dollar - gold is the best hedge.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am
The price of gold, when adjusted for inflation, is still well below its 1980 high point. To match that level, gold will have to climb to over $2000 per ounce. So, with the U.S. Dollar crumbling weekly, gold is still an excellent investment. The Jefferson is the best in the First Spouse series thus far. The Jackson and Van Buren coins will also be especially nice.