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The First Spouse coin series includes issues that go beyond traditional themes. The Alice Paul coin is one such example, highlighting her contribution to the civil rights movement.
Alice Paul’s Legacy in U.S. Numismatics
She never served as a First Lady, but Alice Paul still appears in the series—her role in the American suffrage movement was too significant to leave out.
Some collectors end up placing her coin next to pieces like the Eleanor Roosevelt gold coin because both deal with women shaping public life. But the meaning isn’t the same at all. One coin honors a First Lady, and the other honors a suffragette.
Historical information important to collectors:
Year of issue: 2012;
Minted in two versions: Proof and Uncirculated;
It falls within the late period of the First Spouse series, when overall demand had declined and mintages were smaller.
“Each coin tells a story, and each one you hold in the palm of your hand has its own unique history.”
— Petty Officer Shubert (U.S. Navy)
Quoted in a journalistic article about the coin tradition
Alice Paul First Spouse Gold Coin Overview
The coin is made of 24-karat gold, has the characteristic parameters of the line and follows uniform design standards.
Parameter | Value |
Metal | 0.9999 Gold |
Weight | 1/2 oz |
Diameter | 26.5 mm |
Edge | Reeded |
Types | Proof / Uncirculated |
Year of Issue | 2012 |
Mint | West Point |
Interest in the coin is further fueled by the significant differences in rarity between the Proof and Uncirculated mintages. The Proof mintage is more common on the market, but the Uncirculated mintage consistently delivers strong results.
Collectors often associate this issue's rarity with the less common coins of the later years of the series. A comparison can also be made with the Edith Roosevelt gold coin, as both coins are often placed side by side in thematic sets dedicated to US women's history.
The Alice Paul specimen has no officially recorded errors, but a few ones with production quirks have surfaced on the market:
A slight impact in certain areas of the background, causing the surface to appear flatter;
Pinpoint marks left by micro-clogging of the die, most often in areas of flat fields;
A slight shift in the mirrored fields, noticeable when the coin is held up to the light;
Barely visible stains resulting from the surface treatment at the final stage.
These cases are usually evaluated one at a time. They don’t move the overall market much, but niche collectors still watch for them, simply because so few pieces exist.
Want to determine the approximate value of a coin quickly? The Coin ID Scanner app works well for rare issues, since it identifies the version from a photo, checks it against the database, and then shows a full price range, rare grades included.
Design and Symbolism of the Alice Paul Coin
The Alice Paul design was created with a focus on a specific historical movement. The obverse shows a suffragette’s portrait—a strict, simple look with nothing extra. The attention falls on her part in the political struggle itself.
On the reverse, women appear engaged in the fight for the 19th Amendment. Mint artists used documentary photographs and archival materials to capture the movement’s spirit, taking inspiration from banners, marching rows, and the imagery of organized protest.
Key symbols considered by collectors include:
Inscriptions related to women's rights, which reflect the spirit of the era;
Elements of the marchers' clothing, which are accurate to the early 20th century;
A restrained composition, characteristic of documentary footage of the time.
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