The Bronze First Spouse medals were initially scheduled for June and then July. The U.S. Mint held off but now has this year’s complete set ready for sale.

The set includes 1 5/16 inch medals of Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson’s Liberty, and Dolley Madison. All are packaged together in a custom envelope with a descriptive insert about the spouses and the program. The price for the set is $12.95.

The first three Presidential Spouse gold coins sold out during their first day and within hours of release and the Dolley Madison isn’t yet available. For some, these bronze medals may be the only way to own something from the official commemorative First Spouse Program.

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Today, President Bush honored Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The medal was given in recognition of his many enduring and outstanding contributions to peace, non-violence, human rights, and religious understanding.

President Bush was actually the first US leader to appear publicly with the Dalai Lama. Previous presidents have met with him privately, minimizing friction with China.

China’s attitude toward the Dalai Lama is one of anger, feeling he’s a separatist trying to pull Tibet away from China.

For background, you can view the Reuters video news clip from yesterday. You can also watch the Associated Press video clip of the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

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