The US Mint on Monday launched the 2009 Proof Set. The annual set is priced higher this year at $29.95, but it also includes specially minted pennies and four more coins.
The 2009 proof set is highlighted with redesigned Lincoln cents that celebrate the bicentennial birth of Abraham Lincoln. And unlike the circulating penny versions, each is composed of alloy matching the original 1909 Lincoln cent — 95% copper, 3% zinc and 2% tin.
The pennies alone are likely to make the 2009 sets more popular than past years, and that is saying much. The annual sets are always a favorite with collectors — each proof coin strike features the San Francisco "S" mint mark. More than 1.4 million of the 2008 proof sets were sold. Over 1.7 million of the 2007 proof sets were purchased.
While these prior sets were priced at $26.95, the 2009 proof sets costs $29.95. The price increase may be attributed to the specialized pennies and the extra quarter due to this year’s DC & US Territories Quarters Program.
The following 18 coins are included in the set:
- 2009-S Lincoln Cents: Lincoln Log Cabin Penny, Lincoln Rail Splitter Penny, Lincoln Professional Life Penny and Lincoln Presidency Penny
- 2009-S Jefferson 5-cent coin
- 2009-S Roosevelt dime
- 2009-S Quarters: DC quarter, Puerto Rico quarter, Guam quarter, American Samoa quarter, US Virgin Islands quarter and Northern Mariana Islands quarter
- 2009-S Kennedy half-dollar
- 2009-S Native American $1 Coin
- 2009-S Presidential Dollars: Harrison $1 Coin, Tyler $1 Coin, Polk Presidential $1 and Taylor Presidential $1
The 18-coin set is a great deal when comparing the coins and prices for two already released US Mint annual products:
- 2009 US Mint DC and US Territories Quarters Proof Set at $14.95, and
- 2009 US Mint Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set at $14.95
The 2009 proof set is just five cents more than combining both of the above products. Plus, it includes 8 more coins.
What are proof sets? According to the US Mint, they are:
"Extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background. Their frosted, sculpted foregrounds give them a special cameo effect.
Proof blanks are specially treated, polished and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes. The blanks are then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure sharp relief.
The coins are then packaged in protective lenses to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish."
2009 US Mint Proof Set order information
No order limits are in place with sales beginning June 1, 2009 at 12:00 (ET). To order, visit the US Mint page:
United States Mint 2009 Proof Set®
Sets may also be purchased through the Mint’s toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
