US Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set sales were roaring mad during the first three days of release — despite their $52.95 price tag.

271,372 were sold between their noon launch on Friday and up and through to Sunday, new US Mint figures reveal. Sales surged passed the same year six quarters silver proof set by more than 56,000. And those were issued several months back on March 23.

Demand looks to be paralleling the similar inaugural sales pace of the non silver 18-coin 2009 Proof Set. 437,178 of these were sold during the first seven days. (851,097 have been purchased as of Sunday.) Read the rest of this entry »

The US Mint on Friday launched the 18-coin 2009 Silver Proof Set for $52.95. The annual set is a favorite with collectors, highlighted by the no longer available 2008 Silver Proof Set with sales of 774,874 as of Sunday.

The 2009 set is actually $8 more than last year’s offering, but it also includes an additional silver quarter and four bicentennial 2009 Lincoln cents specially struck in 95% copper, 3% zinc and 2% tin — the same alloy used in the original 1909 penny.

Similar to the fast-selling 2009 clad proof set that was issued by the Mint in June, the silver set contains collector proof versions of circulating 2009 coinage. All coins bear the "S" mint mark denoting they were minted at the United States Mint in San Francisco. Additionally, the dime, half-dollar, and six quarters are struck in lustrous 90 percent silver. The set has an intrinsic silver value of $19.99 at Friday’s silver spot price of $13.16 an ounce. Read the rest of this entry »

A joint U.S. Mint and Washington Metro press conference last week announced that $1 coins were accepted and dispensed in Metro farecard vending machines.

Thanks to Metro and its YouTube channel, the video of the conference with United States Mint Director Ed Moy and Metro’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Chief Financial Officer Carol Kissal is available.

The video — embedded below — offers a unique perspective, and a rare look into a Mint press briefing evangelizing the benefits of using $1 coins. Read the rest of this entry »

$1 coins may now be used throughout the Washington Metro Transit System, the United States Mint and Washington Metro Area Transit Authority jointly announced today.

All modern $1 coins — from Presidential Dollars, to Sacagawea Golden Dollars, to the upcoming Native American $1 Coins — are now accepted and can be dispensed in Metro farecard vending machines.

Promoting the awareness and use of dollar coins is part of the Mint’s initiative to convince the public that coins are better, and cheaper to use than paper bills in every day transactions.

"We are excited about collaborating with Metro to increase circulation of $1 coins," Director Moy said. "Once the public realizes the benefits of using $1 coins, we are confident they will be motivated to use them more often."

According to the Mint, coins last 30 to 40 years and are reusable. It now says about one percent of old coins are recycled annually, which accounts for some 16 million in new coins every year. Read the rest of this entry »