October 8, 2013 – As in 2012 the First Spouse Coins issued by the US Mint are delayed this year, too. This year’s Presidential $1 coins are dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson and the complementary First Spouse coins therefore to their wives (Wilson was married twice, therefore five coins will be issued). However, collectors must be patient, because as Tom Jurkowsky, Mint director of public affairs stated, ‘The reason for the delay in bringing this year’s First Spouse gold coins to market is due to a problem that we refer to as “finning.” Because gold is a very soft metal, it can be very difficult to deal with. When the coins are pressed, excess metal can build up on the coin’s edges. This, in turn, causes an effect that we refer to as “bottle capping.” The production team is working through this problem, and we are confident we will be able to resolve the issue.’
You can find a note on the delay at Numismaster.
Here the US Mint presents the First Spouse coin programme …
… and the product’s schedule.