How to Identify the First Spouse Gold Coin (Alice Paul)
A collector's checklist for confirming a genuine 2012 Alice Paul half-ounce gold coin — designs, inscriptions, weight, purity, mint mark, and cautions.
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Begin with the design, because the Alice Paul issue is visually distinct within the First Spouse series. The obverse shows a marching suffragist carrying a flag or banner reading "VOTES FOR WOMEN" — imagery unique to this 2012 coin. Most other First Spouse coins depict a president's wife in portrait, so a suffrage-parade scene with that banner is your strongest single clue. Confirm the date 2012 on the coin.
Read the legends and denomination. A genuine coin shows UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the "$10" face value, and the gold weight and fineness (one-half ounce, .9999 fine gold) on the reverse alongside the commemorative suffrage inscriptions. The color should be the rich, warm yellow of pure 24-karat gold, deeper than the paler tone of 22-karat coins like the American Gold Eagle.
Verify the physical specifications with a scale and calipers. The coin should weigh about 15.55 grams, measure roughly 26.5 mm in diameter, and have a reeded edge. Wrong weight or diameter is a serious warning sign, because the intrinsic gold value makes these coins a target for counterfeiting.
Check for the mint mark. Every First Spouse coin was struck at West Point and carries a "W" mint mark; there is no other issuing facility for this series. The coin exists only in proof (mirrored fields with frosted raised elements) and uncirculated (satiny, non-mirrored) finishes, so a heavily worn or "pocket change" appearance is inconsistent with a real example and warrants caution.
For authentication, prefer coins still sealed in original Mint capsules with their certificate of authenticity, or examples encapsulated by PCGS or NGC. Given the coin's gold content and collector premium, buy significant pieces from reputable dealers and confirm weight, diameter, and non-magnetic behavior rather than relying on appearance alone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell the Alice Paul coin from other First Spouse coins?
Look for the suffrage-parade scene and the "VOTES FOR WOMEN" banner on the obverse, plus the 2012 date. Most other issues in the series show a portrait of a president's wife rather than a marching figure.
What weight and size should the coin be?
It should contain a half troy ounce of .9999 fine gold, weigh about 15.55 grams, measure roughly 26.5 mm across, and have a reeded edge. Figures that differ suggest a counterfeit.
Should every genuine coin have a mint mark?
Yes. All First Spouse coins were struck at West Point and carry a "W" mint mark. There were no other mints and no circulation strikes for this series.
How can I be confident a coin is authentic?
Confirm the weight, diameter, and reeded edge, check that the gold is richly yellow and non-magnetic, and favor coins in original Mint packaging with a certificate or those certified by PCGS or NGC.