Margaret Taylor Gold Coin Release
The U.S. Mint has released the 2009 First Spouse Series One-Half Ounce Gold Proof Coin.
This is the fifth coin released in 2009 in the First Spouse Gold Coin Series and features Margaret Taylor, who was the wife of President Zachary Taylor. This coin is a one-half ounce 24-karat gold coin struck in proof condition, giving it a frosted foreground and a mirror-like background. The obverse features a portrait of Margaret Taylor and the reverse depicts her helping an injured soldier during the Seminole War. This coin is encapsulated and packaged in a custom-designed, highly polished, dome-chested, lacquered hardwood presentation case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Director of the United States Mint.
The First Lady Margaret Taylor was born September 21, 1788. Her father was Major Walter Smith who was born August 12th, 1747. From Calvert County, Maryland; he was a tobacco planter and a Major in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He died in 1804. Her mother was Ann Hance Mackall and she was born May 12th, 1755 also from Calvert County, Maryland. She died May 20, 1789 in Calvert County, Maryland.
Margaret Taylor was married to the 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor. They had 5 daughters and 1 son.
Zachary Taylor once commented that Margaret "Peggy" Mackall Smith Taylor "was as much of a soldier as I was." For 30 years, she followed her husband during his military career to remote hardship outposts that stretched from Louisiana to northern Wisconsin, creating homes for her family in tents, cabins and forts.
