2009 U.S. Proof Sets Go On Sale
The U.S. Mint has begun selling the 2009 Proof Sets on its Web site and via its telephone ordering service. The set contains a whopping 18 coins separated into four different plastic cases, all inserted into an attractive cardboard box. The coins are all struck in Proof quality by the San Francisco Mint and bear the S Mint mark. The set sells for $29.95.
The highlight of the set for many collectors are the four special commemorative Lincoln Cents being issued only in 2009. The pennies in the Proof Set have been struck in the 95% copper alloy that the Lincoln Cent was originally struck in when first issued in 1909. Although zinc versions of these cents are being released into circulation during the course of 2009, the only way to get the copper versions is to buy them from the U.S. Mint as part of a set.
The 18 coins in this year's set consists of:
- 4 Lincoln Cents - one for each 2009 commemorative design
- 1 Nickel
- 1 Dime
- 6 Quarter Dollars - one for each U.S. Territory and Washington, DC
- 1 Half Dollar
- 1 Sacagawea / Native American Commemorative Dollar
- 4 Presidential Dollars - Harrison, Tyler, Polk, and Taylor
The U.S. Mint will also release many of the same coins in its Silver Proof Set later this year, including the four 95% copper Lincoln Cents.
Comments
I found it very odd that the US Mint did not mention the 95% copper composition of the cents in their press release or on the product page for the set. One would think this is a good selling point.
Yeah i wonder if its jsut in the silver Proof sets >???
I hear there is a movie coming out about two brothers who time travel to find those lost 1895 Morgan Silver Dollars. It is called Million Dollar Morgan… sounds interesting & entertaining. http://unitedfilmways.com/
I just received my Proof Mint sets from the US Mint. What a joke! They forced sets into a box that was barely able to hold them. By the time the arrived, all the boxes holding the sets were crushed on one end or the other.
The US Mint: Quality Control At It’s Worst!
John, I agree that packaging is still well below par at the mint. It seems that service is finally picking up (but it still has a long way to go and FIFO is still not there) but coins continue to arrive poorly protected for the trip. So far, I have been lucky and not had any damage, but I see the potential for it in the packages I get. Something as heavy as coins should not be allowed to shift in the box during shipping. When something moves the G-forces multiply and that is never good.
The pennies are in fact 95% copper in the proof set. They are beautiful coins. I don’t know why the mint fails to make a point of this in their advertizing. I was pleased to see subscription orders get some priority this time. It really makes one doubt the mint’s claims that they have always had some sort of special treatment (the claim was that even though subscriptions shipped late, they were allocated the first coins produced). Overall, I am pleased with the 2009 Clad Proof Set. What I am disappointed with is the new box being offered by the mint. I like that they finally figured out that they produce different size sets and the box is adjustable, but it is only half the size of the now discontinued three lens box for the same price. The three lens box was the one reasonably priced mint logo storage box and I have a few that I use for all sorts of coins. The new box is just too expensive for its size to be attractive.
Clair
This isn’t about the 2009 proof set. I would like to know how peaple or companies get hold of new coins that the mint hasn’t offered for sale to the public yet??? Namely the (2009 Silver Eagle)… They’re on sale on E-bay now and they’re advertised as in stock. I called the mint, they couldn’t explain to me why they are on the market. Dose anyone have any insight as to how they are getting them???
Thanks Al
I recieved my sets recently, finally looked them over. There is a curious thing on the copper penny in the 4 coin set that has knawed at me for many years.
I’m not sure if the obverse of these coins are supossed to mimick the original 1909 as does the metal content. The reverse of each cent as we all know are different. The curious thing is, in the font of all the cent coins – all are in upper case letters in united states of america. Looking at the set with the reverse showing, the cent on the far left is the only cent that has a lower case o in oF AMERICA. The other 3 coins read – OF AMERICA. From time to time i’ve seen this difference on coins. I’m not real familar with pennies in the Lincoln cent series, this just remains a curiosity to me that the lower case letter is not considerd a different type of variety. Any one know the reason why the mint changes the font like that, and why this isn’t a variety?
coiny
A correction to thee above. The of in – of america are both lower case. That is the way i looked at them the first time. Rechecking, is when i saw they are both lower case letters.
coiny
Al (#6),
What you’re seeing is the “Bullion” version of the 09′ Eagles. These types are produced by the Mint for dealers only & have been available for most of this year. They don’t have a Mint mark. The ones everyone is anxiously awaiting production of are the UC & Proof versions.
Be careful on eBay, these Eagles are readily available through many dealers and typically sell for only a couple bucks over spot silver prices. (APMEX is one such dealer).
Hope that helps a bit…
~The Yankee~
For The Yankee;
Thanks for your comment that helped me. I collect the proof silver eagles and don’t remember them every being produced this late in the year.
Thanks again Al