(2015) First Spouse Bronze Medal - Bess Truman

Coin Details

Auction Record

$39 MS69BN 11-13-2022 eBay

Description

The Bess Truman bronze medal honors a fiercely private First Lady who considered Washington "the great white jail" and spent as much time as possible at the family home in Independence, Missouri. Elizabeth Virginia "Bess" Wallace Truman married Harry Truman in 1919 after a courtship that began in Sunday school when they were children, and she steadfastly refused to cultivate a public persona throughout his political career. The obverse, designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso, portrays a woman who declined to hold press conferences, gave no interviews, and answered written questions from reporters with the briefest possible responses, often a simple "no comment." Despite her aversion to publicity, Bess Truman was her husband's most trusted political advisor. Harry Truman called her "the Boss" and consulted her on major decisions, including the use of the atomic bomb. The reverse, designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Joseph Menna, references her quiet but steady presence in her husband's political life. After leaving the White House in 1953, the Trumans returned to Independence, where Bess lived until 1982, reaching the age of ninety-seven and becoming the longest-lived First Lady in American history at that time. She destroyed much of her correspondence with Harry, ensuring her privacy would extend beyond her lifetime. Struck in bronze at 1-5/16 inches.

Rarity Notes

Produced at the Philadelphia Mint during 2015 without a fixed mintage limit. Available on the secondary market at modest premiums.

Cross References

PCGS #568514; companion to First Spouse Gold $10