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?
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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.
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Gold fell and silver plunged Monday for a second day as the U.S. dollar continued to gain against other world currencies and reduce the appeal of metals. In other markets, oil dropped while U.S. stocks ended side ways after rallying late. In New York trading futures for bullion: Silver for July delivery plummeted 43.3 cents, [...]
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.)
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With a triumphant win in the State of Origin on Wednesday night and having Queensland Day on this Saturday, Queenslanders definitely have a few reasons to celebrate. To help those from up north celebrate being a Queenslander the Royal Australian Mint has released a stunning new coin which especially honours the 150th anniversary of self-government [...]
Bob Van Ryzin begins the June 4th episode of Coin Chat Radio with information on the 2009 US Mint Proof Set release. It is larger than last year’s fourteen coin set with the addition of another quarter and three Lincoln cents. Accordingly, it is more expensive with a US Mint price of $29.95. In related [...]
With the exception of gold, markets were generally positive on the week. As silver advanced and platinum surged, the yellow metal in London closed lower for the first time in five weeks. Outside of precious metals, crude-oil marked a third week of gains while U.S. stocks continued their upward trends. European stocks finished higher for [...]
Deep seas, adventure, mystery, suspense and a battle over who owns a sunken treasure… they are the trappings of an action-adventure blockbuster that could make hundreds of millions. But this is no movie plot. The treasure is real — possibly worth some $500 million — and a battle over its ownership wages on, but now [...]
Gold and silver roared back to life Thursday following the previous day’s trouncing. Precious metals were kicked forward by a dipping U.S. dollar and oil soaring toward $70 a barrel. U.S. stocks rallied on the day as well. In New York trading futures for bullion: Silver for July delivery soared 58.5 cents, or 3.8 percent, [...]
Mike Ellis Adds Another Prestigious Award to His Distinguished Numismatic Career Virginia Beach, VA. Dominion Grading Service is happy to announce Mike Ellis’ latest honor of being selected as the 2009 recipient of CONECA’s Hall of Fame award. Mike came to DGS in October 2008 bringing 20 years experience as a professional numismatist and numismatic [...]
