Daily Archives: June 8, 2009
2010 Lincoln Cent Design Thoughts
For the last few months, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee have been volleying between each other and the sculptor-engravers at the US Mint over the design of the reverse for the 2010 Lincoln Cent. Based on what is being reported one thing is clear, the designs are somewhat less than stellar.
Ok... they stink!
According to Public Law 145-109 Section 303 states, "[the] design on the reverse of the 1-cent coins issued after December 31, 2009, shall bear an image emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country."
While the mandate sounds simple, there is a catch: Lincoln only caught a glimpse of a united country. Prior to Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865, Lincoln visited Richmond after it was taken by Union troops. Lincoln was greeted as a conquering hero by newly freed slaves on his way to visit the Confederate capital.
Gold, Silver Fall for Second Day as Dollar Rallies
Lincoln Cent Production Rises in May, Dime and Nickel Mintages Unchanged
Several coins received a fair share of attention in May while others were simply ignored, the latest US Mint production figures reveal. Nearly 300 million additional Lincoln Rail Splitter Cents were struck. Dime, nickel and half-dollar production remained flat. Guam quarters emerged for the first time and Native American $1 coins were minted in abundance.
Coin Production Totals by US Mint Facility - May Only
| Denver | Philadelphia | Total | |
| Lincoln Formative Years Cent | 154,400,000 | 126,800,000 | 281,200,000 |
| Guam Quarter | 42,600,000 | 45,000,000 | 87,600,000 |
| Native American $1 | 20,020,000 | 11,900,000 | 31,920,000 |
| Tyler Presidential $1 | 0 | -1,680,000 | -1,680,000 |
| Total | 217,020,000 | 182,020,000 | 399,040,000 |
There is no surprise in the skip over of Kennedy half dollars in the production tables. Public demand for the 50 cent pieces has never been high. Shocking, of course, are the missing Jefferson Nickels and Roosevelt Dimes. But then that is old news as the Mint forewarned of their stoppage in April (see CoinNews article: US Mint Halts 2009 Nickel and Dimes Production.)