(2008) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Louisa Adams

Coin Details

Description

The Louisa Adams bronze medal recognizes the only foreign-born First Lady in American history. Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams was born in London in 1775 to an American father and English mother, and she married John Quincy Adams in 1797 while he served as the American minister to Prussia. The obverse portrait, designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, depicts a woman whose cosmopolitan upbringing in London and Berlin gave her social skills well suited to Washington diplomacy. Louisa Adams was an accomplished harpist, a published poet, and a keen political observer whose memoirs provide valuable insight into early American political life. The reverse, also designed by Susan Gamble, portrays a scene reflecting her literary and musical accomplishments. Her relationship with the Adams political dynasty was complex; she often felt overshadowed by her formidable mother-in-law Abigail Adams and chafed under the expectations of the intensely driven Adams family. Struck in bronze at the standard 1-5/16 inch diameter, the medal carries the same designs as the companion gold coin and forms part of the complete 2008 first spouse medal set alongside Elizabeth Monroe, Jackson's Liberty, and Van Buren's Liberty.

Rarity Notes

Struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a fixed mintage limit. This medal is this one involved in the well-known mule error when its reverse die was accidentally paired with the Abigail Adams obverse.

Cross References

PCGS #398870; companion to First Spouse Gold $10