(2007-08) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Abigail Adams Mule Abigail Obv / Louisa Rev

Coin Details

Description

This striking error medal is one of the most notable mint mistakes in the First Spouse Bronze Medal series. Produced when the obverse die of the Abigail Adams medal was inadvertently paired with the reverse die of the Louisa Adams medal, the resulting mule combines the portrait of John Adams's wife with a scene from the life of John Quincy Adams's wife. The Abigail Adams obverse, designed by Joseph Menna, correctly depicts the second First Lady, but the reverse shows the Louisa Adams design by Susan Gamble rather than the intended Abigail Adams reverse depicting her writing desk scene. The error occurred during production changeover between the two Adams issues and was discovered after an undocumented quantity had been struck and sold to collectors through U.S. Mint channels. Because both the Abigail Adams and Louisa Adams medals are part of the same series and share the same diameter and bronze composition, the die pairing error was not immediately obvious. The mule carries the standard 1-5/16 inch diameter and was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. This mint error has become one of the key rarities of the bronze medal program and commands substantial premiums over either of the correctly struck parent issues.

Rarity Notes

Scarce error issue with an undisclosed mintage. Discovered after distribution, the mule commands significant premiums over regular bronze medals. Population is limited, as most were sold before the error was identified and production corrected.

Cross References

PCGS #411409