Elizabeth Monroe 2008 10 Dollars First Spouse Gold Coins

US Gold Coins Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse 10 Dollars Gold CoinUnited States Gold Coins Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse 10 Dollars Gold Coin

US Gold Coins Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse $10 Dollars Gold Coin
First Lady of the United States, 1817–1825

The Elizabeth Monroe Gold Coin obverse featured her portrait designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart. She had served as First Lady from 1817 to 1825 during the Presidency of her husband James Monroe. The obverse inscriptions include “Elizabeth Monroe”, “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, the order of the Presidency “5th”, the dates of the Presidential term “1817-1825″, and the date and mint mark “2008 W”.

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe was born in New York City in 1768 and married James Monroe at age 17.  The family made their home in Virginia, but spent several years overseas while James Madison served as U.S. Foreign Minister to Great Britain, France, and Spain.  She became a popular figure in France, where she was affectionately called la belle Americane because of her beauty and style.
   Elizabeth began her tenure as First Lady on March 4, 1817, when her husband commenced his first term as the fifth President of the United States. However, the White House was still under reconstruction, so Elizabeth hosted the inaugural ball at their private residence on I Street, and part of the time the First Family lived in the Octagon House. Since all the White House furnishings had been destroyed, the Monroes brought some from their private residences. Her husband was re-elected to a second term in office in 1820, and Elizabeth attended the inaugural ball held in Brown's Hotel. Therefore, she remained in her role of First Lady until March 3, 1825.
   Although Elizabeth Monroe regained a measure of respect and admiration during her husband's second term, she compared poorly to her predecessor, Dolley Madison, who had captivated Washington society, setting a standard by which future First Ladies were measured. Furthermore, Elizabeth and her eldest daughter may have sought to make access to the White House more socially exclusive, reflecting French practices, which were barely tolerated given American democratic values, although President Monroe's term was also known for the good feelings and relations. Still, Elizabeth had made such an impression upon General Andrew Jackson that her husband always mentioned her to him in their correspondence. Elizabeth also drew favorable reviews as the couple briefly hosted General Lafayette during his return tour through America. During Elizabeth's illnesses, some of the social duties were carried out by her daughters, as discussed below. Furthermore, James or Elizabeth destroyed her correspondence, both between themselves and with others, before her death.
   Her time spent in European diplomatic circles influenced her sense of proper protocol for the White House, to which she brought a European stateliness and formality.  Their youngest daughter, Maria, was the first presidential child to be married in the White House, in a small, private ceremony.  When Elizabeth and James Monroe left the White House, they returned to Oak Hill, the family estate in Virginia, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

The reverse of the coin features Elizabeth Monroe at the reception for the reopening of the White House in 1818. The White House had been burned by British troops during the War of 1812, and the First Lady had been instrumental in the refurbishing process. Inscriptions include “United States of America”, “E Pluribus Unum”, “Reopening of the White House 1818″, the denomination $10, gold content 1/2 OZ., and purity .9999 FINE GOLD. The reverse of the coin was designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Charles Vickers.

On January 1, 1818, Elizabeth and James Monroe held a grand New Year’s Day reception marking the reopening of the White House, which was rebuilt after its burning at the hands of the British in 1814.  The couple supplied some of their own furniture to the government because the White House was almost empty when they moved in.  This French Empire style furniture imparted the feeling of formality that they considered appropriate for the Executive Mansion.  Nine pieces remain in the White House today.

Coin Specifications and Mintages
Date: 2008
Mint: West Point (W)
Mintage: 7,800 (proof), 4,462 (uncirculated)
Designers: Joel Iskowitz (obverse), Charles Vickers (reverse)
Composition: 0.9999 Gold
Weight: 0.5000 troy oz. (15.554 g)
Diameter: 1.041 inches (26.49 mm)
Thickness: 0.074 inches (1.88 mm)

   Representing the first release of the year and the fifth release of the series overall, the Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse Gold Coin went on sale at the US Mint February 28, 2008.
   Interest in the new series of one-half ounce 24 karat gold coins had already begun to fade by this release. The collector base had been diminished by the rising issue prices of the coins, low secondary market premiums for the earlier issues, and the natural tendency for collectors to drop out of a new series as it continues. Those who continued to collect the First Spouse Gold Coins would switch their emphasis from quick sell outs, to the potential for low mintages.
   Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse Coins were offered in both proof and uncirculated formats, limited to 40,000 across both options.  At the start of sales, the proof version was priced at $619.95 and the uncirculated version was priced at $599.95. The US Mint imposed ordering limits of one per option per household, but after significant demand failed to materialize, the limits were removed.
   The coins remained available for sale for approximately one year from the original release date. The United States Mint reported a final combined mintage of 12,262, comprised of 4,462 uncirculated coins and 7,800 proof coins.


US Gold Coins
First Spouse Gold Coins Program

2007 First Spouse Gold Coins


2008 First Spouse Gold Coins

Elizabeth Monroe      Louisa Adams      Andrew Jackson’s Liberty     


2009 First Spouse Gold Coins

Anna Harrison       Letitia Tyler       Julia Tyler       Sarah Polk       Margaret Taylor

2010 First Spouse Gold Coins


2011 First Spouse Gold Coins

Eliza Johnson         Julia Grant         Lucy Hayes         Lucretia Garfield

2012 First Spouse Gold Coins




2013 First Spouse Gold Coins



2014 First Spouse Gold Coins

Eleanor Roosevelt         Lou Hoover         Grace Coolidge         Florence Harding


2015 First Spouse Gold Coins