The Liberty Coin Act of 1985 authorized the U.S. Mint to strike and issue one dollar coins containing one troy ounce of .999 silver in quantities to meet public demand. The legislation provides that the design of the coin shall be symbolic of Liberty on the obverse with an eagle on the reverse. The coin has an inscription of the year of minting or issuance, the words 'Liberty', 'In God We Trust', 'United States of America' and a reeded edge as stipulated by law.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision to provide continuity of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program during those times in which a president served without a first spouse. This provision applies to Martin Van Buren, whose wife Hannah died in 1819. Married in 1807, Van Buren was a widower for 18 years when he became president in 1837.

The gold coins issued to accompany any president who served without a spouse will each feature a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse, as depicted on a United States coin issued during the President’s time in office. For Martin Van Buren’s presidency, the selected image appeared on the Liberty Seated Dime coin from 1837–1891, and was originally executed by United States Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht.

Reverse Design

Born in New York in December of 1782, Martin Van Buren holds the distinction of being the first president to be born in a newly independent Nation. His family operated a tavern in the town of Kinderhook, a primarily Dutch enclave located on the post road between New York City and Albany. Here, young Martin was exposed to political ideology at an early age, as local and state politicians would often gather at the Van Buren establishment as they traveled between the two cities.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision to provide continuity of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program during those times in which a President served without a First Spouse. This provision applies to Thomas Jefferson, whose wife Martha died in 1782. Married in 1772, Thomas Jefferson was a widower for 19 years when he became President in 1801.

The gold coins issued to accompany any President who served without a spouse will each feature a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse, as depicted on a United States coin originally issued during the President’s time in office. For Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, the selected image appeared on the Draped Bust Half-Cent coin from 1800–1808, and was originally executed by United States Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot.

Reverse Design

Thomas Jefferson is widely recognized for his unmatched expertise with the written word. Even in death, Jefferson left no room for interpretation, leaving careful and precise instructions detailing exactly which of his achievements would be memorialized on his final resting place.

Located on the grounds of his Monticello estate, his monument states "Here was buried Thomas Jefferson: author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and father of the University of Virginia."

The Liberty Coin Act of 1985 authorized the U.S. Mint to strike and issue one dollar coins containing one troy ounce of .999 silver in quantities to meet public demand. The legislation provides that the design of the coin shall be symbolic of Liberty on the obverse with an eagle on the reverse. The coin has an inscription of the year of minting or issuance, the words 'Liberty', 'In God We Trust', 'United States of America' and a reeded edge as stipulated by law.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision to provide continuity of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program during those times in which a president served without a first spouse. This provision applies to Andrew Jackson, whose wife Rachel died in December 1828, just a few months before his presidential inauguration.

The gold coins issued to accompany any president who served without a spouse will each feature a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse, as depicted on a United States coin issued during the President’s time in office. For Andrew Jackson’s presidency, the selected image appeared on the Capped Bust, Lettered Edge Half-Dollar coin from 1807–1836, and was originally executed by United States Mint Engraver John Reich.

Reverse Design

Andrew Jackson, known as “Old Hickory,” is remembered as a war hero who led a force of approximately 4,000 American troops against a British Army more than twice that size and emerged victorious in January 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans. Although a treaty had been signed at Ghent, Belgium, weeks earlier, the news had not reached either army, and the American troops’ victory at the Battle of New Orleans helped secure that crucial southern sea port as part of the first successful military defense of the country’s national sovereignty.

The Liberty Coin Act of 1985 authorized the U.S. Mint to strike and issue one dollar coins containing one troy ounce of .999 silver in quantities to meet public demand. The legislation provides that the design of the coin shall be symbolic of Liberty on the obverse with an eagle on the reverse. The coin has an inscription of the year of minting or issuance, the words 'Liberty', 'In God We Trust', 'United States of America' and a reeded edge as stipulated by law.