The US Mint will dedicate a series of pure gold (.9999) coins to the presidential wives known as the First Ladies, to coincide with the annual release of presidential $1 coins in 2007.

“This marks the first time the US Mint has featured women on a consecutive series of coins,” said director Edmund C. Moy at the National First Ladies Library as the images of the four coins were revealed. “Each coin is a half-ounce of pure gold. You might say they are the Presidents' better half!” he added.

They will have a denomination of $10, but their 24-karat gold content will be worth considerably more than that, the Mint said. Prices for the First Spouse Coins, expected to be around $300 each, will be determined closer to the sale date in May 2007, around Mothers Day. Bronze replicas of the coins are expected to be available for $3 to $4.

The 2007 First Ladies coins feature the images of Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison. Four new designs for both the $1 coin and the golden First Ladies coin will be introduced each year in the order in which their husbands served as president. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 specifies no former President may be depicted on a coin while he is still alive or within two years of his death.