CoinNews

The 2009 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set® went on sale Thursday at noon Eastern Time for the price of $27.95. The product, which most numismatists will generally refer to simply as the 2009 Mint Set, includes an array of 36 coins. These are struck in uncirculated condition with 18 minted in Denver and the remaining from Philadelphia.

The 18 coins are grouped into their own US Mint folder -- red for Denver and blue for Philadelphia -- with included coin specifications and certificate of authenticity.

The annual sets are one of the most popular US Mint offerings, as exemplified by last year's set which had total sales of 745,464. (The number would have been higher, but they were unexpectedly pulled from Mint store shelves on Feb. 25.) The 2008 US Mint set had fewer coins at 28 and was therefore issued at a less expensive $22.95 price. As another reference, 907,268 of the same priced 2007 US Mint sets were purchased by collectors.

In an interesting side note but also another example that highlights the product's popularity, each of the older sets are currently being sold on the secondary market with solid premiums. The 2008s are going for between $40-$50 on eBay while the 2007s are in the $30-$40 range.

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Bullion American Eagle Gold and Silver Coins ended September in shining fashion, but recent demand has mostly weakened for collector proof and uncirculated coins. That is, except for uncirculated 2009 Presidential Dollar Sets. Their sales inexplicably blasted off like a rocket.

These and more highlights follow:

• Bullion American Gold Eagles marked the end of the month by registering the 3rd best September since 1986 with 115,500. The month was also the 4th best of this year -- just missing the 3rd slot by a mere 501. At year's end, 2009 annual eagles sales should rank 4th or 5th best of all time. One million is within very close reach. 954,000 is the current count.

• 2009 bullion American Silver Eagles have already assured their place in history. It is the second best September ever for the coins, but more impressively, annual sales are locking in to a record all time high. 20,467,500 silver eagles have already been sold this year. 2008-dated eagles earned the top spot last year with 20,583,000. Say goodbye to that, and soon.

• For no apparent rhyme or reason, Presidential $1 Coin Uncirculated Sets exploded. The tally soared 11,217 to 85,478. At $15.95 a pop, the Mint pulled in a cool $179,000. Last week's report showed a sleeping increase of just 1,278. As mentioned before, the US Mint Fall catalog arrived on collector's doorsteps to help boost sales, but other coins/sets didn't have similar astronomical, above and beyond increases. This one is a bit of a mystery.

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The Royal Australian Mint is now offering the 2009 $1 Inspirational Australian Steve Irwin Uncirculated Coin. This coin is the second in a series of Inspirational Australians that last year featured Mary MacKillip, who was beatified by Pope John Paul I in 1995.

Steve Irwin was a well-known celebrity who met an untimely fate in 2006. Host of the popular Crocodile Hunter series, Irwin was enthusiastically supportive of Australia's wildlife.

His parents started the Australia Zoo and Irwin grew up around exotic creatures. He is attributed with wresting with his first crocodile at the age of nine. Not content with merely putting on a show, Irwin was adamant about educating the public about wildlife as well.

His Crocodile Hunter show won him international attention and he was quick to capitalize on it to foster more interest in his home country and what it had to offer.

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