(2008) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Van Buren's Liberty

Coin Details

Auction Record

$116 MS69 01-30-2015 eBay

Description

Martin Van Buren's wife Hannah Hoes Van Buren died of tuberculosis in 1819, eighteen years before Van Buren took office, necessitating the use of an allegorical Liberty figure for this medal. The obverse presents a representation of Liberty designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, rendered in a style evocative of the late 1830s when Van Buren served as president. The Liberty figure draws inspiration from the Classic Head and Coronet designs that appeared on American coinage during this period. Van Buren never remarried, and his daughter-in-law Angelica Singleton Van Buren, who had been introduced to the family by Dolley Madison, served as White House hostess during his presidency. The reverse design, by Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by Jim Licaretz, references themes of liberty and governance during the Van Buren administration, a period marked by the devastating Panic of 1837. Hannah Van Buren is the least documented of the early First Ladies, with very few contemporary accounts of her life surviving; even the single known portrait of her was painted posthumously. Struck in bronze at 1-5/16 inches, this medal completes the 2008 quartet of First Spouse Bronze Medals.

Rarity Notes

Struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a mintage cap during the issue year. Readily available from dealers at modest premiums above the original issue price.

Cross References

PCGS #404743; companion to First Spouse Gold $10