Gold, Silver, Metal Prices: Commentary – 2/17/2010
2010 Lincoln Cent Ceremony: Behind the Scenes
The United States Mint officially launched the 2010 penny from inside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois on Thursday, February 11, 2010.
Springfield has deep ties with the former President. It was in this area that he lived most of his adult life; where he taught himself to be a lawyer and practiced as such; where he met his wife Mary Todd and married her; where he raised his family; and where he first delved into politics long before being elected President. It is also in Springfield where Lincoln is buried. His body was interred here following his assassination only days after the end of the American Civil War.
The US Mint calls the new coin the "Preservation of the Union One-Cent," but many collectors are referring to it simply as the Lincoln Shield Cent. The new design is expected to be used for the next 49 years, according to the speech given by US Mint Director Edmund Moy during the ceremony.
The following photos recap some of the events on release day in Springfield. Several of the photo captions provide interesting behind the scenes information.
Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set Values Remain Strong
It has been slightly over four months now since the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set was released by the United States Mint. On that day, October 15, 2009, eager buyers wasted no time in snatching up the Mint's inventory.
In fact, it took less than thirty hours for the 50,000 sets created by the Mint to be sold at their issue price of $55.95. And that was with many buyers experiencing technical issues during the first few hours of availability on the Mint's website and via their phone ordering system.
Making the set so unique were the five coins included inside: a 2009 Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar and four versions of the 2009 Lincoln Cent. The $1 was minted in Philadelphia while the four pennies were struck at the Mint's facility in San Francisco. Each has a deep cameo proof, with the four pennies struck from the same 95% copper alloy used when the Lincoln Cents were first issued back in 1909.
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2010 Boy Scouts Coin and Disabled Vet Commemorative Prices Revealed
The United States Mint has announced introductory and regular pricing for the two commemorative coins scheduled for release this year.
The US Mint price notice was published in late January by the Federal Register, which is the official daily source for rules, proposed rules, and notices of government agencies and organization.
The two silver 2010 commemorates include:
- American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coins -- Release date of February 25, 2010
- Boy Scouts of America Centennial Silver Dollars -- Release date of March 23, 2010
Both coins have the same specifications of: 90 percent silver, 10 percent copper, a nominal weight of 27.730 grams and a diameter of 1.500 inches or 38.100 mm.
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US Mint Forum: Moy Talks America the Beautiful Quarters and Silver...
On the eve of the 2010 Lincoln cent launch ceremony in Springfield, Illinois, United States Mint Director Ed Moy met with about 60 coin enthusiasts at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where he answered questions and shared information about the US Mint and its coin programs.
Topics included, among other things, coin release dates, designs, expected 2010 mintages for dimes, nickels and pennies, American eagles, commemoratives and the new quarters and silver bullion coins. This first article installment focuses on Mr. Moy's answers to specific questions regarding America the Beautiful Quarters.
There is also an interesting response to CoinNews' Rhonda Kay's question regarding America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins. Moy describes some of the challenges in striking the five-ounce silver coins, a delay in getting them out the door, and whether they will ever be sold as a numismatic product.
Year of the Tiger Celebrated in 2010 Gold and Silver Coins
Tiger - just the mention of the word evokes a sense of excitement, power and graceful beauty. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the Chinese would include such an animal in their zodiac calendar created millennia ago (that's right, millennia).
To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, which began today, February 14, 2010, the Royal Canadian Mint has released four new limited minted coins, all of which incorporate the Tiger's attributes of excitement and beauty:
- 2010 $15 Silver Lunar Lotus Coin - Year of the Tiger
- 2010 $15 Fine Silver Coin - Year of the Tiger
- 2010 $150 Fine Gold Coin - Year of the Tiger
- 2010 $150 Lunar Hologram Coin - Year of the Tiger
