Louis Braille Silver Dollar Prices Set by US Mint

The United States Mint provided Louis Braille Silver Dollar prices and gave notice it will offer introductory prices for the silver coins beginning March 26. It also threw a new Braille product into the mix.

Through to April 27, the initial pricing for the bicentennial coins honoring Braille’s birth will be $37.95 for the proof silver coin and $31.95 for the uncirculated version, according to the Federal Register which published the Mint memo.

Prices will increase to $41.95 and $33.95, respectively, following the introductory period.

Additionally, the notice provides information for another Louis Braille product the Mint will offer described as an "Uncirculated Silver Dollar in Easy-Open Capsule." Priced the same as the uncirculated silver coin, it will offer an "easy-to-open capsule for those who would like to feel the tactile elements offered by the coin design."

The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar is the first U.S. coin ever struck that contains readable Braille characters. The dots in the coin design spell “Brl,” which is the contraction for Braille.

Three other coins — the Alabama state quarter and 1995 and 1996 Paralympic Silver Dollars — also had Braille, but were too small for the visually impaired to read.

The Federal Register is the official source of notices by government agencies. In addition to the Braille Silver Dollars, the published Mint document also includes prices for the 2009 Lincoln Silver Dollar, which the Mint began selling on Feb.12.

Here is the Federal Register document in its entirety:

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[Federal Register: February 19, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 32)]
[Notices] [Page 7746]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe09-120]

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

United States Mint

Notification of United States Mint 2009 Commemorative Coin Pricing

ACTION: Notification of United States Mint 2009 Commemorative Coin Pricing.

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SUMMARY: The United States Mint is announcing the prices of the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar and the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.

Public Laws 109-285 and 109-247 require the United States Mint to mint and issue the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar and the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, respectively. These coins will be offered in both proof and uncirculated conditions. In addition, the uncirculated Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will be offered in an easy-to-open capsule for those who would like to feel the tactile elements offered by the coin design.

The Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar will be offered at an introductory price on February 12, 2009, through March 16, 2009, when it will be offered at regular pricing. The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will be offered at introductory pricing beginning March 26, 2009, through April 27, 2009, when it will be offered at regular pricing. Pricing for all standard options under both programs are listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B.B. Craig, Associate Director for Sales and Marketing; United States Mint; 801 Ninth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220; or call 202-354-7500.

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 5111, 5112 & 9701; Public Law 109-285, sec. 6 (Sep. 27, 2006); Public Law 109-247, sec. 6 (July 27, 2006).

Dated: February 13, 2009.
Edmund C. Moy,
Director, United States Mint.