(2011) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Eliza Johnson

Coin Details

Description

The Eliza Johnson bronze medal honors a First Lady who, like her husband Andrew Johnson, rose from humble origins to occupy the White House during one of the most contentious periods in American political history. Eliza McCardle Johnson married the future president in 1827, when she was sixteen and he was eighteen, and she is credited with teaching her largely self-educated husband to read and write more fluently. The obverse, designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, portrays a woman who suffered from tuberculosis throughout much of her adult life and rarely appeared publicly during her husband's presidency. Andrew Johnson assumed office after Lincoln's assassination in April 1865, and Eliza Johnson managed to attend only two public events during his entire term, including a children's ball in December 1868. Her daughter Martha Johnson Patterson served as the family's public representative and White House hostess. The reverse, designed by Gary Whitley and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso, references Eliza Johnson's life and her role in supporting her husband's career from their early years in Greeneville, Tennessee. Despite her frail health and the political turmoil of Reconstruction, she maintained a steady influence on her husband throughout his presidency and impeachment trial. The medal is struck in bronze at 1-5/16 inches.

Rarity Notes

Struck at the Philadelphia Mint during 2011 without a stated mintage limit. Available on the secondary market at standard pricing for the series.

Cross References

PCGS #507034; companion to First Spouse Gold $10