The US Mint garnered the attention of enthusiasts and collectors alike with its United States Mint 2009 Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set. Even the most seasoned numismatists are intrigued by the offering. The special set went on sale Oct. 15, 2009, at noon ET for the price of $55.95.

Under a barrage of early ordering, US Mint phone lines were bogged down and its Web site went down for hours. By 5:00 p.m. ET, a reported 29,919 of the available 50,000 were sold. By 6:00 p.m. on the next day, the sets had sold out and collectors were asked to join a waiting list. Days later the sets were gone for good from the US Mint's storefront. Purchases must now be made from the secondary market (See eBay examples below).

All the 2009 Lincoln coins, and the Chronicles Set, celebrate the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. 2009 was a special year for the historic president, as it was the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth -- the reason American's were introduced to the one-year only bicentennial coins. The following sections provide information on the coins within the set and details about it.

Proofs in Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set

The US Mint Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set includes the proof version of the Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar and the four redesigned 2009 Lincoln Cents. All the coins are minted in deep cameo proof.

"Proof coins are manufactured at the United States Mint at San Francisco using specially prepared, highly polished dies and are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background," the US Mint explains.

"A frosted, sculpted foreground gives them a cameo effect. The coins are packaged in a protective lens to showcase and maintain their exceptional finish and are contained in a custom-designed box," it added.

The pennies in this special set are struck from the same 95% copper alloy that the original 1909 Lincoln Cents were composed of, instead of the copper-plated zinc (97.5 zinc & 2.5% copper) used in normal circulating pennies today.

Lincoln Bicentennial Silver Dollar Coin

The Lincoln Silver Dollar features an image of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Proof Obverse

2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Proof Reverse

The reverse shows an inscription of the last 43 words of Lincoln's extremely famous 'Gettysburg Address,' designed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper with a diameter of 1.5 inches.

2009 Lincoln Cent Obverse

The four Lincoln Cents showcase Victor David Brenner's portrait of Abraham Lincoln that has been on the obverse (heads side) of pennies with little modifications since 1909.

Marking an extreme departure from previous US Coinage, the Lincoln Penny was the first coin struck for normal circulation by the Mint to incorporate a real individual, instead of a mythical character.

It was part of President Theodore Roosevelt's plan to re-image American coinage to signify the power and beauty of the United States.

Lincoln Cent Reverses in Chronicles Set

The four pennies within the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set are actually in collector proof condition, unlike the circulated version shown in the obverse image immediately above and the four directly below (the US Mint has not --at least yet -- released proof images of the coins).

The reverse of these four 2009 pennies feature images of different stages of Abraham Lincoln's life.

2009 Cent Reverse: Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky

2009 Cent Reverse: Formative Years in Indiana

2009 Cent Reverse: Professional Life in Springfield, Illinois

2009 Cent Reverse: Presidency in Washington, DC

Specifically, the 2009 penny themes depict:

• Lincoln's Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816). Designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz, this coin has an image of a log cabin reminding all of the humble beginnings of Lincoln where he grew up near Hodgenville, Kentucky.

• Lincoln's Formative Years in Indiana (1816-1830). A sitting image of Lincoln on a log reading a book is on the reverse of this second design coin. It was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers. Shown taking a break from the hard work of rail splitting, Lincoln's life-long thirst for knowledge is being satisfied with reading a book.

• Lincoln's Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861). The Old State Capitol of Illinois is featured in the background of a standing image of Lincoln. Designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the image represents the professional life of Lincoln. It was here in or near Springfield that Lincoln became a self-taught Lawyer. It was also here where he first delved into politics, and where he launched his bid to become President of the United States.

• Lincoln's Presidency in Washington D.C. (1861-1865). A half finished United States Capitol Dome designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna is featured on the reverse of the last of the four new 2009 Lincoln Cents. The dome was still under construction when Lincoln made his First Inaugural Address, while four years later under a completed dome is where Lincoln's body laid in state after he was assassinated.

The freshness of the penny designs greatly increased public awareness of the cents. A frenzy of excitement occurs at launches, and with collectors in particular who seek the new coins that are issued in equal intervals every three months.

US Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set: Mintage Limit

The Lincoln Dollars were available individually earlier in 2009 from the Mint. 325,000 proof and 125,000 uncirculated coins were struck and quickly sold out.

Only 50,000 of the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Sets were issued. This is because the act authorizing the Lincoln Bicentennial coins put a cap of 500,000 on the dollars. Take out the 325,000 proof and the 125,000 uncirculated coins already sold, and the Mint is only left with 50,000 to issue.

The four 2009 Lincoln Cents were released for circulation in stages throughout the year, with the final design (Presidency in Washington D.C.) released in November. All of the cents have met an amazing demand, with premiums paid for the circulation quality strikes.

2009 Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set: Price & Order Details

Even with a one set household limit, many collectors correctly anticipate a quick sell-out from the Mint -- many believed they would be gone on day one. The set was priced at $55.95, plus a $4.95 shipping and handling fee.

Besides the aforementioned five coins that grace the set, a reproduction of the Gettysburg Address, an image of Lincoln and his signature as well as a Certificate of Authenticity are also included, along with a hardcover slipcase. Lincoln's signature is printed in gold foil under his picture.

The coins are individually capsulated, enabling the owner to remove them from the set packaging for closer inspection. A hardcover slipcase protects the entire package and contents.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at noon Easter Time, ordering was opened up to the public. The action was so strong that it was extremely difficult to get through to the Mint via its phone lines. Its Web site was either down or sporadic in behavior until around 3:30 p.m. The collector's experience was so bad that the Mint issued a public apology.

By 5:00 p.m. Thursday, a reported 29,919 had been sold. By 6:00 p.m. on Friday, the sets sold out.

Chronicles Set Auctions

A few enterprising individuals offer the sets on eBay with the significant premiums attesting to the sets popularity. On the weekend prior to the Chronicles set release, completed auctions on eBay were closing from between $140-$169, which was an increase of well over $100 from the original US Mint $55.95 price tag. Jumping ahead to February 2010 and prices are still in the same range. The Lincoln Coin & Chronicles set is holding its value. A sampling of current auctions from eBay follow:

US Mint Products with Lincoln Proof Coins

As previously mentioned, the Lincoln Silver Dollars sold out earlier in 2009. (50,000 of the proof were reserved for the upcoming Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set.) The only way to purchase any of these coins right now is through the secondary market, such as auctions on eBay or through coin dealers.

There are, however, other US Mint products that include proofs of the four 2009 Lincoln Cents. Collectors who don't want the silver dollar, and don't care about the special packaging that will come with the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set, can purchase these coins from the US Mint now. They are available within:

• United States Mint 2009 Proof Set® for $29.95
• United States Mint 2009 Silver Proof Set™ for $52.95
• 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set for $7.95 (sold out by the Mint with a mintage of 200,000)

Visit the US Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/ to order. Or call the Mint directly using their toll-free number 1-800-USA-MINT. The US Mint also offers circulating versions (non proof) of the new cents within two-roll sets for $8.95.

References & External Links

• Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set Sold Out - http://www.coinnews.net/
• 2009 Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollars - http://www.silvercoinstoday.com/
• 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program - http://usmint.gov/
• 2009 Lincoln Cents - http://2009lincolnpennies.com/
• Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Penny - http://www.time.com/
• America the Beautiful Quarters