Originally scheduled for an August 16th sale date, the US Mint's special edition Thomas Jefferson First Spouse gold coin officially went on sale today. The Jefferson coin is the third in the series of First Spouse Coins issued by the US Mint.

A coin will be released for each of the Presidents, including those who served their time in office without a spouse. For those Presidents without a spouse, a gold coin will be issued featured a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse as depicted on a US coin originally issued during the President's time in office.

At the time Thomas Jefferson was in office, he had been a widower for 19 years. His wife, Martha, died in 1782, and Jefferson did not become President until 1801.

The image selected for the Jefferson First Spouse coin appeared on the Draped Bust Half-Cent coin from 1800 to 1808, and was originally executed by US Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot.

Demand for the Jefferson First spouse coin today was apparently so high that the website was slowed to a crawl for a considerable period of time earlier in the day.

The Jefferson First Spouse coin is available for purchase through the US Mint's online store. There are two options available for purchase:

• 2007 First Spouse Series One-Half Ounce Gold Proof Coin Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty for $429.95
• 2007 First Spouse Series One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty for $410.95

For more information about the First Spouse gold coins, see the U.S. Mint Web site at www.usmint.gov.