CoinNews

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.

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Recent sales of 2009 Proof Sets hiccup, Braille Silver Dollars crawl, Lincoln Rail Splitters lose luster and, well... the list goes on for nearly every US Mint coin or set.

Collectors appear to be sleeping through the summer when it comes to buying modern coins. There is one, no make that two notable exceptions: American Eagle Gold and Silver bullion coins. They are screaming along this month.

The Mint has sold a whopping 15,449,500 silver and 721,000 gold American Eagles this year. The following tables sum up the current eagle mania, and recent slower sales of the coins discussed above:

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