The United States Mint launched proof versions of the four newly redesigned 2009 Lincoln Cents in a single set on Wednesday, August 26.
The proof sets are priced at $7.95 each, plus shipping and handling, and will be available at noon ET. There is a limit of 5 sets per household.
The one-cent coins celebrate the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent. The sets, therefore, are officially entitled as the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set.
The reverse of each cent bears a design that represents the four major aspects of Abraham Lincoln’s life:
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Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky – The ‘Log Cabin’ reverse was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Jim Licaretz.
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Formative Years in Indiana – The ‘Rail Splitter’ reverse was designed and sculpted by Charles Vickers.
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Professional Life in Illinois – Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart, the reverse features Abraham Lincoln in a professional pose in front of the Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois.
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Presidency in Washington D.C. – The final 2009 Lincoln Cent, designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Joseph Menna, features a half-completed US Capitol dome, as it appeared during Lincoln’s Presidency.
The obverse or heads side of coins feature the familiar Victor D. Brenner designed likeness of President Lincoln that was first introduced in 1909.
"Proof coins are manufactured at the United States Mint at San Francisco using specially prepared, highly polished dies and are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background," the US Mint explains.
"A frosted, sculpted foreground gives them a cameo effect. The coins are packaged in a protective lens to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish and are contained in a custom-designed box," it added.
Each coin bears the San Francisco "S" mint mark. In celebration of their 100th anniversary, and unlike the circulating versions, each is also composed of the exact metallic content as contained in the 1909 one-cent coin (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc).
The set may be ordered through the US Mint (http://usmint.gov/) online store at:
2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set
The sets are also available by calling the Mint’s toll-free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-321-MINT (6468).
Collectors may also be interested in the 18-coin US Mint 2009 Proof Set, which the US Mint offers for $29.95 and launched on June 1. This annual set contains proof version of all US circulating change, to include the four bicentennial pennies. 956,581 of these sets have already been purchased as of August 16.
Additionally, the coins are included in the annual 2009 Silver Proof Set, issued by the US Mint on July 17 for $52.95. Collectors have purchased 423,732 of these as of August 16.
For a brief history about the one-cent coin or Lincoln 2009 cents, visit the CoinNews sister site: Lincoln Pennies.
About the United States Mint
Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.
