Occupying a truly unique spot in the First Spouse Gold Coin series, as well as American History in general, Francis Cleveland is featured on two First Spouse Coins because of her husband’s non consecutive terms in office. The first, First Lady to be married in the White House, she also holds the distinction of being the youngest First Lady in U.S. History; she was 21 years old when she married then 49 year old Grover Cleveland.
Born in 1864 to Emma and Oscar Folsom, her father was a lawyer and longtime friend of Grover Cleveland. In fact a 27 year old Cleveland met his future wife soon after she was born. Acting as an uncle figure for most of her childhood, he came to be administrator to her father’s estate after his untimely passing in a carriage accident in 1875. She had an extensive education and attended Wells College in Aurora, New York; it was here that Cleveland’s interest in Francis turned toward the romantic and he proposed by letter soon after her graduation.
During her first term as First Lady, Frances Cleveland became extremely popular with the general public; businesses even used her likeness to advertise their products, and her visage graced postcards, porcelain tiles, and even tobacco pipes. Crowds grew so frenzied around the young and beautiful Lady Cleveland that the President feared for her safety. Though young, she handled her tenures as First Lady with poise, even going so far as to host Saturday morning receptions especially for working-class women who were unable to attend during the week. She offered her support toward people from all walks of life, including artists, musicians, and displaced African American children.
Place in the First Spouse Gold Coin Series
As stated in the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, the First Spouse Gold Coin would represent each Presidency; and since Grover Cleveland occupied two non consecutive terms in office, Lady Cleveland would occupy two non consecutive Gold Coin in the series. The first coin, representing the 22nd Presidency is known as the Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coin, and features a three-quarter profile portrait of Lady Cleveland on the Obverse. On the Reverse the popular First Lady can be seen greeting the working class women she held specially scheduled receptions for; working-class women could attend the receptions during the week. For her second coin, which represents the 24th Presidency, Lady Cleveland is pictured a little more refined, and motherly (she and President Cleveland had had a daughter in between his Presidencies, and she would birth two more while First Lady). Shown on the Reverse is a portrait showing Lady Cleveland greeting a crowd of the adoring American people. Lady Cleveland was so popular with the public that during his first term President Cleveland built a secluded home in Washington that they would live in during the off period of the social season.
Fun Fact: Lady Cleveland was perhaps one of, if not the, most popular First Lady to every hold the title. She had her own song, she was featured on the covers of magazines (which always sold more) and businesses took advantage of her popularity by featuring her image in their adverts, using their products (one even showed her using a sewing machine!). Well it is safe to say that once she was again in the White House, this time with children, she and her daughters would be a much sought after attraction for the general public. The much beloved Ruth was born between Cleveland’s terms as President, but later died of diphtheria at the age of 12, and in 1921 the Curtis Candy Company supposedly named their candy “Baby Ruth” in her honor. Possibly one of the most alarming moments where the public overstepped their bounds was an event that took place on the South Lawn. The family nurse was with the Presidential daughters when a group of tourists giddily pushed her and overtook the children; gushing over them and passing them about.
How the Coins are Performing in Today’s Market
The First Term Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coin was released by the United States Mint on November 15, 2012. Due to the new pricing policy implemented by the U.S. Mint, prices for the First Spouse Gold Coins, and other bullion coins, fluctuate weekly depending on the precious metals market. Initially the coin was priced at $1,029.00 for the Uncirculated version of the coin, and $1,016.00 for the Proof version; the lowest the value ever dipped while the coin was available for sale was $820.00 for the Uncirculated, and $840.00 for the Proof. Today the price has increased gradually (it’s only been three years since the release).The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of the United States Coins: 2014 has the 1st Term Frances Cleveland Coin valued at $1,000.00 for the Uncirculated and $1,025.00 for the Proof. Graded versions, which are done by NGC and PCGS fall into a different category as their quality is assured by the companies that carry out the grading: NGC has the highest graded Proof (PF70) valued at $1,125.00, and $1,250.00 for the highest graded Uncirculated (MS70) coin.
Analyzing the Frances Cleveland First Spouse Gold Coin (Second Term) runs along the same line as the previous coin that displays her portrait. Issued by the Mint on December 20, 2012, the initial price for the gold commemorative coin was $1,004.00 for the Proof, and $991.00 for the Uncirculated, but fell to similar figures as the First Term during low point in the market. The Red Book has the same value for the Second Term coin. Graded versions by the NGC are valued at $1,125.00 for a MS70 and the same for a PF70.
Frances Cleveland is one of the most unique First Ladies to be honored in the First Spouse Gold Coin program issued by the U.S. Mint. Young, beautiful, and affluent, she used her time in the White House to spread her good charms and help her husband’s political ambitions. A gem to the American People, Lady Cleveland was a truly popular figure during the turn of the 20th century. To learn more about how you can add this fascinating bit of history to your collection call the experts at Global Monetary Reserve at 877-795-9585 today, or if you would like to take a look at our diverse inventory visit or E-commerce website by Clicking Here.