Owner Comments:
John Tyler was the first president to take office, not by election but succession. There was some confusion as to exactly who would take Harrisons place; some people thought Tyler was only a temporary president until new elections could be held. Serving from 1841 through 1845, Tyler was told by the cabinet that they would make all executive decisions, but Tyler replied that he would have their cooperation or their resignation. Tyler was his own man, and would do things his own way. He never selected a new Vice-President, and was the only President to serve without one. He also went against the wishes of his party, the Whigs, who would expel him from the party after he thwarted their efforts to re-establish the Bank of the United States. Tyler wanted to run for a second term, but since he had no party, he gracefully stepped aside.
Obverse Designer: Phebe Hemphill
Reverse Designer: Don Everhart
Release Date: May 21, 2009
Mintage: 2,800,298
Numismatic Highlights
- 1843 Legal-tender value of foreign gold and silver coins in U.S. regulated