2009 US Mint Proof Set sales were on fire during their inaugural launch week.
While the annual sets are always exceedingly popular, the latest one took the Mint by storm. Amazingly, 437,178 of the sets were sold from Monday, June 1, to Sunday, June 7.
The high volume was not without consequences. Most collectors who ordered during the opening hours needed a booster shot of patience.
Purchasing the proof coins online was like waiting for store doors to open on Black Friday morning. But much worse for the Mint, tens of thousands of collectors were trying to rush through their store front in a matter of hours. The jam caused long wait times and forced the Mint to briefly shut down online sales to… dare we say, reboot?
Whatever occurred behind the scenes, once the green light to open orders was given again, everything seemed to flow smoother. Following, this collector purchased his sets in mere seconds.
More than 1.4 million 2008 proof sets were sold. Over 1.7 million 2007 proof sets were purchased. It is impossible to imagine that the 2009 US proof sets will not shatter past year totals.
The draw of the once in a lifetime bicentennial Lincoln pennies is simply too strong to ignore. Four newly designed proof cents, with each composed of the matching alloy of the original 1909 Lincoln cent — 95% copper, 3% zinc and 2% tin. Throw in 14 more coins. Then price the package at $29.95.
What more can a collector ask for?
