(2009) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Julia Tyler

Coin Details

Description

The Julia Tyler bronze medal honors the second wife of President John Tyler and one of the youngest women to serve as First Lady. Julia Gardiner Tyler married the president on June 26, 1844, when she was twenty-four and he was fifty-four, becoming the first president's wife to marry a sitting president. The obverse portrait, designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, shows a woman famed for her beauty and vivacious social presence. Born into a wealthy New York family, Julia Gardiner had created a minor scandal in 1839 by appearing in a department store advertisement, making her one of the first American women of social standing to endorse a commercial product. Her brief tenure as First Lady, lasting only eight months from her June 1844 wedding until Tyler left office in March 1845, was marked by lavish entertaining. The reverse, designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart, depicts Julia Tyler dancing at a White House reception, capturing the youthful energy she brought to the executive mansion. She introduced the playing of "Hail to the Chief" to announce the president's arrival at official events, a tradition that endures to this day. Struck in bronze at 1-5/16 inches, the medal reproduces the designs of the companion gold coin.

Rarity Notes

Produced at the Philadelphia Mint during 2009 without a fixed mintage limit. Available on the secondary market at standard series pricing.

Cross References

PCGS #412478; companion to First Spouse Gold $10