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 »
With the US Mint announcing the upcoming 2009 US Mint Silver Proof Set launch, coin collectors are reminded of the still available — but for a short time only — 2008 Silver Proof Set.
For marketing focus and to avoid confusion, the US Mint generally ends the sale of prior year proof sets immediately before new year replacements are issued.
The 2009 silver set goes on sale Friday at noon ET so expect the Mint to pull the 2008 set from its online store before then — likely Friday morning.
Demand has been strong for the 14-coin proof offering, although easing of late to around 2,000-3,000 sold per week. In total, collectors have purchased 774,874 sets between its release on Aug. 26, 2008 through to Sunday, July 12. Read the rest of this entry »
Collectors looking to shop for United States Mint clearance coins have just hours left. The Mint’s "Last Chance Sale" kicked off Saturday, November 15, and ends today, December 19, at 5:00 (ET).
Still available are more than 100 old and new coin products that will "never be available again from the United States Mint." They are stamped as "limited-time, first come, first serve."
There are still several 2007 annual coin sets available, including the 2007 United States Mint Silver Proof Set™ and the 2007 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set™. Additionally, there are many 50 state quarter coins and products. Read the rest of this entry »
Program Nets Nearly $3 Billion from Increased Quarter Demand over Decade
WASHINGTON - The United States Mint is wrapping up the 50 State Quarters® Program, the national phenomenon that sent Americans searching through their change for the latest quarter to add to their collections. It is estimated that 147 million Americans have been collecting the coins in the 10-year 50 State Quarters Program, which has honored each state in the order it ratified the U.S. Constitution or was admitted into the Union. The program, authorized by Congress, kicked off in early 1999 with the introduction of the Delaware quarter and concludes at the end of 2008 with the Hawaii commemorative quarter-dollar coin.
"This groundbreaking initiative has been the most successful coin program in the Nation’s history," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy, who participated in the launch ceremony for the Hawaii quarter on November 10, 2008. "The 50 State Quarters Program has educated a generation of Americans about the history and geography of the States. It has also generated tremendous state pride and encouraged citizens to consider which images should symbolize the region where they live."
Nearly six million free lessons plans about the quarters and the states they celebrate have been downloaded by teachers, parents and students from the United States Mint’s award-winning H.I.P. PocketChangeTM web pages for children at http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/50sq/.
During the decade of the 50 State Quarters Program, the United States Mint issued more than 34 billion quarters to the Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) and earned $6.1 billion in seigniorage. The United States Mint estimates that, of the total, the 50 State Quarters Program has generated between $2.7 and $2.9 billion. The extra earnings were transferred to the Treasury General Fund. This estimate of additional seigniorage does not include the final figures generated by the quarters honoring Alaska and Hawaii. Read the rest of this entry »
The United States Mint’s last chance coin clearance sale kicked off early Saturday morning with a massive list of over 150 old and new coins and products.
The Mint announced its sale Monday along with plans to slash coins from its 2009 numismatic portfolio, including 22 American Buffalo and American Eagle gold and platinum collector coins.
The Mint has dubbed its limited-time, first come, first serve offer as the "Last Chance Sale." The sale continues through to December 19 and includes coins and product dating between 1999-2008. The Mint has said old inventory not sold will be melted shortly after, which will ease its January transition to a new fulfillment center in Plainfield, IN.
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The Hawaii state quarter kicked-off with its ceremonial debut on Monday with thunderous success. Children who received a free, shiny Hawaii quarter were pleased, as it appears were those who waited in long lines for many hours to exchange money for the coins.
For a local perspective and one of the top news stories ever conducted for a state quarter release, follow New Hawaii Quarter Hits the Street and watch the included video.
During the ceremony, U.S. Mint Directory Moy aptly described the value the state quarters:
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New Quarter-Dollars Brought Uncle Sam Billions – 25 Cents at a Time
The Hawaii state commemorative quarter-dollars that go into circulation starting November 10 may provide the public with yet another opportunity to find a mini fortune in their pocket change. They also end a resoundingly successful ten-year program that helped reduce the federal budget deficit by billions of dollars – 25 cents at a time, according to David L. Ganz, author of the just-published book by Random House, America’s State Quarters.
Ganz urges people to carefully look at their pocket change because some of the state quarters can be worth between $100 and more than $1,000 each because of minting mistakes.
"For example, some of the Wisconsin state quarters made in 2004 have an extra leaf on the cornstalk on the tail’s side, and those are selling for over $100 each now. Other state quarters, mistakenly struck on the wrong metal blanks, have sold for $1,000 or more. It will be interesting to see what potentially valuable mistakes and varieties people may find with the Hawaii quarter when it goes into circulation," said Ganz, a former President of the American Numismatic Association.
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Hawaii state quarters officially enter circulation on Monday, but their ceremonial release kicks-off a week later, on Monday, November 10, the United States Mint announced. On the evening prior, Mint Director Ed Moy will also host a free Public Coin Forum where collectors and the media can ask questions and learn more about U.S. coins and future programs.
The Hawaii state quarter release marks the conclusion of the 50 State Quarters® Program, which has been described by the Mint as one of the most successful coin programs in U.S. history with an estimated 147 million Americans who collect the commemorative quarter-dollars.
The quarter design features King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Underneath the islands is the Hawaiian state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO," meaning "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."
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Americans will watch the final state quarter enter circulation with the launch of the Hawaii quarter on November 3, the United States Mint announced Tuesday.
The release marks the conclusion of the 50 State Quarters® Program, which is described by the Mint as "one of the most successful coin programs in U.S. history" with approximately 147 million Americans who collect the commemorative quarter-dollars.
The spectacular popularity of the yearly issued quarters began with the unveiling of the first Delaware commemorative in 1999. Since then, over 33.7 billion state quarters have been minted through to the first 48 quarters.
When the Alaska and Hawaii quarter production figures are released and added to the tally, nearly one billion more coins will have been minted. Or, more clearly, enough for every man, woman and child in the United States to own 2 quarters from each state.
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The US Mint on Monday released several cornerstone coins all within a single 2008 United States Mint American Legacy Collection®. The set features 15 popular proof coins "presented in unique and elegant packaging."
The collection includes proof versions of all 14 circulating coins for 2008, including the final five quarters of the 50 State Quarters® Program (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii) and the four $1 coins from the second year of the Presidential $1 Coin Program (Monroe, Adams, Jackson and Van Buren). The set also includes a proof version of the Bald Eagle Silver Dollar.
The collection is priced at $100 each, with a household limit of 10 in place. There is a total limit of 50,000 sets.
The kicker for the collection is its packaging. While extremely attractive, all the coins may be purchased separately for a total of $70.90, making the packaging price an extra $29.10.
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