Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 10 Dollars 2016, KM# 628, United States of America (USA), First Spouse Program, Betty Ford
  • 10 Dollars 2016, KM# 628, United States of America (USA), First Spouse Program, Betty Ford
Description

The Nation’s First Ladies are being honored on a series of one-half ounce 24 karat gold coins. The coins are considered numismatic items and have a nominal face value of $10. Typically, four different designs are released per year featuring the spouses of the Presidents in the order served. The First Spouse Gold Coins represent the first time that the United States Mint has featured women on a consecutive series of coins.

The program was authorized under Public Law 109-145 The Presidential $1 Coin Act. In addition to authorizing the Presidential Dollars series, which features the former Presidents in the order served, the law also provided for the issuance of gold coins featuring the President’s spouses.

For Presidents who served in office with a first and second wife, two gold coins are issued for the Presidency. For Presidents who served in office without a spouse, a depiction of Liberty is presented on the obverse of the coin for four instances, with Suffragist Alice Paul depicted for the final instance.

The obverse of each First Spouse coin features a portrait of the spouse being honored. The reverse design of each coin contains images emblematic of the spouse being honored. Some of the reverse designs so far have included memorable scenes from the spouse’s life, or images representative of their major contributions, themes, or accomplishments.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Betty Ford. The inscriptions include “Betty Ford”, the motto “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, the order of the Presidency “38th”, the dates of the Presidential term "1974-1977", and the date and mintmark "W".

Elizabeth Anne Ford (née Bloomer; 1918–2011) was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford. As first lady, she was active in social policy and set a precedent as a politically active presidential spouse. Ford also served as the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974.

Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained high approval ratings. Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy. In addition, she was a passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). As a supporter of abortion rights and a leader in the women's rights movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on every hot-button issue of the time, including feminism, equal pay, the Equal Rights Amendment, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. She also raised awareness of addiction when in the 1970s, she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism and substance abuse, being the first first lady to do so.

Design: Barbara Fox (BF)
Modelling: Michael Gaudioso (MG)

BETTY FORD
IN GOD
WE
TRUST
LIBERTY
2016
W
BF MG
38th 1974-1977

Reverse

Depicts a young woman ascending a spiral staircase. This was intended to be representative of Mrs. Ford’s openness and advocacy regarding addiction, breast cancer awareness, and the rights of women. The inscriptions include “United States of America”, the motto “E Pluribus Unum”, the denomination “$10”, and the precious metal weight and purity “1/2 oz. .9999 Fine Gold”.

Design: Chris Costello (CTC)
Modelling: Renata Gordon (RG)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CTC RG
• E PLURIBUS UNUM • $10 • 1/2 Oz. .9999 FINE GOLD •

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.999
Weight 15.554 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.88 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
West Point Mint (W)

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