Nation's first ladies to be honored on gold coins

WASHINGTON (AP) The U-S Mint is calling it a first for the nation's first ladies.<br/><br/>Starting next year, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and all the other presidential spouses will begin appearing

Friday, December 15th 2006, 5:06 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) The U-S Mint is calling it a first for the nation's first ladies.

Starting next year, Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and all the other presidential spouses will begin appearing on a special series of gold coins.

It will be the first time in history that the U-S Mint has produced a series featuring women. The first ladies will be on half-ounce gold coins, with each likely to sell for more than 300 dollars.

The Mint will also offer bronze duplicates to sell for a more affordable three to four dollars each. Four new coins will be introduced each year.

The first in the series features Martha Washington, looking stern beneath her bonnet. The other side shows her mending a soldier's jacket along with the phrase, "First Lady of the Continental Army."

The first four coins go on sale next May, right around Mother's Day.