2009 Lincoln Proof Cent Products

The US Mint in a typical year offers Lincoln proof cents in two coin products. 2009, however, is far from a typical year for the penny given it is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent itself.

Not only are there four new one-cent reverse designs this year to celebrate the historical occasions, but there are four different 2009 proof set products that the US Mint has produced for coin collectors.

The proof sets offer varying coin denominations within each, and the included cents are special not just for their four designs but for their unique composition. Unlike the circulating varieties, each proof penny is struck from the same metals as the original 1909 Lincoln bronze cent — 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc.

So which proof set should set a collector buy? Based on US Mint sales figures for those that have already been released, many are buying them all. For clarity, here is a breakout showing the difference between each, the latest sales figures, and links for more information:

United States Mint 2009 Proof Set®
Description	18-coin clad proof set
Launch Date	June 1
US Mint Price:	$29.95
US Mint Sales*	975,647
CoinNews Information	US Mint 2009 Proof Set
US Mint Information	United States Mint 2009 Proof Set®

United States Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set™
Description	18-coin silver proof set
Launch Date	July 17
US Mint Price:	$52.95
US Mint Sales*	441,577
CoinNews Information	US Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set
US Mint Information	United States Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set™

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set
Description	4 Lincoln cent proofs
Launch Date	August 26
US Mint Price:	$7.95
US Mint Sales	–
CoinNews Information	2009 Lincoln Cent Proof Set
US Mint Information	2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set

*Sales figures have an "as of" date of Aug. 23.

More information about the Lincoln cents may also be read via the following links: Lincoln 2009 pennies and Lincoln Cents.