The sales figures for the latest release of the First Spouse Gold Coin Series are encouraging. The latest coin honoring Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin was released on November 25, 2008.

The sales figures through November 30, 2008 show 2,845 proof coins and 1,603 uncirculated coins sold. This makes a total of 4,448 coins altogether. While this is a very far cry from the one day sell outs for the first three issues of the series, this is a stronger initial performance than other recent releases.

The reason for some of the renewed interest in the series might be the design of the coin, which is taken from Christian Gobrecht’s Liberty Seated Dime. Even though, arguably less creative than brand new designs, these classic designs often strike a chord with many collectors. Previous First Spouse Gold coins that have re-used classic designs also include Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty and the recent Andrew Jackson’s Liberty.

These “Liberty” series coins might one day be viewed as an interesting subset of the First Spouse Gold coin series. For President’s who served their terms in office without a spouse, the obverse designs are taken from circulating coins of their era. The next coin which will re-use a classic design will be James Buchanan’s Liberty, slated for 2010 release.

A second reason for the renewed interest in the series might be the lower pricing. The US Mint recently repriced all 2008 First Spouse Gold coins to levels more appropriate for the current price of gold. The latest coins were released at the same price levels.

It will be interesting to continue monitoring First Spouse Gold releases to see if the latest coin does in fact represent a shift in collector perspective and a renewed interest in the series.

On November 25, 2008, the United States Mint released the new Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins. This marks the fourth and final release for the series during 2008 and the eighth release for the series overall.

The coins are priced at $549.95 for the proof version and $524.95 for the uncirculated version. The maximum mintage for the coins will be 40,000. There is an initial ordering limit of 10 coins per household.

The coin obverse features the design of the Liberty Seated Dime created by Christian Gobrecht. This classic design was used since Van Buren did not have a spouse while in office. The coin reverse features a depiction of a young Van Buren sitting under a tree reading. He is placed near the family operated tavern in Kinderhook, New York.

Previous First Spouse Gold coins to use classic designs included Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty and Andrew Jacskson’s Liberty.

Notably, when the Van Buren coins went on sale, the Dolley Madison coins went off sale. It seems that the US Mint will only sell each release of the First Spouse Gold Coin program until it sells out or for one year after release. Many collectors had been wondering how long coins that do not sell out would remain available for sale.

As we approach the end of the year, we also approach the final release of 2008 for the First Spouse Gold Series. The last coin for Martin Van Buren’s Liberty is scheduled to be released on November 25, 2008.

Since President Van Buren did not have a spouse while in office, the coin will bear the Liberty image of a circulating coin from his era. The coin chosen is the Liberty Seated Dime, minted from 1837 to 1891 and originally design by Christian Gobrecht. Prior releases for President’s without spouses have been popular as collectors enjoy revising classic designs on modern gold coins.

The reverse of the coin will feature a younger Martin Van Buren reading a book under a tree. This was designed by Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by Jim Licaretz. Coins will be available in proof or uncirculated versions. The pricing and maximum authorized mintages have not yet been announced.