In what is now a touch of torment, several weeks back the United States Mint published 2009 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin images within their Press Image Library.
2009 Proof and Uncirculated American Silver Eagle Coins – Click to Enlarge
The torment comes from the fact that US Mint on October 6, 2009, announced that these coins were canceled for the year, which makes the images the closest collectors will ever come to experiencing what they would have been like.
In reality, their designs have remained unchanged since they were launched in 1986, so there is little left to the imagination as to how they would have looked. And, further, these images are less of a reminder of what could have been as compared to what will be an always present hole in 23 year old collector books.
The story on how the images came into the image library is perhaps an intriguing one. It would seem the decision to cancel the coins was a close call, and obviously not decided quickly. We may never know.
The 2009 bullion Silver Eagles have been selling at an astounding rate. An all-time eagle record was broke in early Oct. when the US Mint reported nearly 21 million had been purchased. That was more than the amount sold in the entire year of 2008, which now ranks 2nd. As of Monday morning, the bullion silver eagle tally stands at 22,092,500.
The design for the silver eagles is based on A.A. Weinman’s "Walking Liberty" first introduced on the 1917 silver half-dollar. Adolph Alexander Weinman was born in Germany but arrived in the United States at the age of 10. He would later study at the Cooper Union and Art Students League and would even work with renowned sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens.
Weinman’s sculptures would end up gracing buildings and other structures throughout the country, but he is probably best known for his work on American coinage. By all accounts, Weinman considered his work on coins as trivial, but today his "Mercury" dime and Walking Liberty half-dollar continue to evoke respect long after his other works are mostly forgotten.
it seems like such a foolish decision by the US Mint to cancel this very important item as it so widely collected. I cannot believe that the Mint would seek to alienate their loyal customers in this way so, I as one of their disappointed customers, would like to just why this unwise decision was made. If they were unable to meet their responsibilities to their customers / collectors due to over-capacity, then why not assign their production to the Royal Australian Mint or the Royal Canadian Mint or one of the many private Mints in the United States and… Read more »
IT is a sad day for sure. it is my understanding that do not have enought silver to make our ASE proof or mint state.
but they do have the silver to strike a 5 oz silver quarter.
not what one should have ben canceled. its a no braner
boycot the 5 oz silver and let the mint melt them back down.
its time to show the mint who realy pays there pay check.
j. debrosky
Tell me that this is not going to be the last year for one of the most beautiful coins ever made.Say it ain’t so.
As far as I’m concerned and many others the US Mint is no longer relevant. Be sure to but tw 2010 proof eagle silver dollars next year so that you can use one to fill the 2009 hole. Even better yet make a copy of the 2009 from the Press Image Library of the US Mint. There are so many ways the 2009 could have been minted, but the US Mint betrayed the american coin collecting public and took the easy and cowards way out. There will still be a Christmas this year, but no thanks to the US Mint.
It’s a disgrace and I’m disgusted with the US Mint for not making the 2009 proof eagle silver dollar. Very disappointed!! I was spending about $3,000 a year on coins from the us mint as a coin collector but guess what? All I will be trying to do now is sell my 25 year collection. Any buyers?