Coin Blog

Yesterday, the US Mint released the design images for next year’s Presidential Dollar coin releases. The 2009 coins will feature William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor. Compared to prior releases, these are some relatively lesser known presidents.  The first president to be honored, William Henry Harrison, actually only served 32 days in office before his death in 1841.

Below are the designs for the 2009 Presidential Dollars in the order of release:

William Henry Harrison Presidential Dollar

John Tyler Presidential Dollar

James K. Polk Presidential Dollar

Zachary Taylor Presidential Dollar

Today the United States Mint unveiled the designs for the eagerly anticipated 2009 Lincoln Cent.

Next year, Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial will be celebrated with four different reverse designs for the penny that has borne his images for the past 100 years. The first new coin will enter circulation on February 12, 2009.

Each design is meant to represent a different period of Lincoln’s life.

2009 Lincoln Cent Design - Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky

2009 Lincoln Cent Design -  Formative Years in Indiana

2009 Lincoln Cent Design - Professional Life in Illinois

2009 Lincoln Cent Design - Presidency in Washington, D.C.

This month the US Mint officially unveiled the designs for the upcoming 2009 Louis Braille Coins. This is a commemorative coin issue for the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth and his contribution of the Braille system.

The unveiling took place at the 2008 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. US Mint Director Edmund Moy did the honors.

The United States Mint is proud to present the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar coin design. I am looking forward to presenting the design for this unprecedented coin, and I am pleased that the United States Mint is playing a role in the cause of bringing literacy to all blind and visually impaired Americans.

The reverse design of the coin is notable since it is the first US coin to include readable Braille characters. It includes the Braille letters “BRL” which is short for “Braille.” Prior US coins have featured Braille characters, but they have been too small to be considered readable. These include the Alabama State Quarter and the 1995 and 1996 Paralympic Silver Dollars.

A prototype of the Braille Commemorative Coin reverse design is included below.

Next year the Lincoln Cent will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary.  The celebration will include four new reverse designs representing aspects of Lincoln’s life, as well as special collector’s versions of the coins.

The Lincoln Cent was first minted in 1909 to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday.  At the time the coin was minted in 95% copper with the balance of the composition in tin and zinc.  The obverse design featured a bust of Lincoln by Vincent D. Brenner, and the reverse featured a pair of “Wheat Ears.”  Because of the reverse design, these coins are sometimes referred to as “wheaties.”

The reverse design was changed in 1959 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth and the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln Cent.  The new design featured a rendition of the Lincoln Memorial. Close inspection will also reveal a likeness of the Lincoln Monument within the Memorial.

The festivities prepared for the 2009 Lincoln Cent are numerous.  Primarily the event will be celebrated with four new reverse designs.  These designs are intended to represent major stages of Lincoln’s life: his birth in Kentucky, his formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Iillinios, and his presidency in Washington, D.C.

The reverse design will be changed approximately every three months during 2009.  Starting in 2010, the reverse design will be changed once again to one which is emblematc of Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a unified country.

Collector’s versions of the 2009 Lincoln Cent are also expected to be available.  These will included cents struck in the original composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.  Proof versions of the coins are also expected to be available in government issued proof sets.

Keep an eye out for additional news, 2009 is fast approaching!

Did you know that next year the US Mint will issue six quarters honoring the District of Columbia and the five United States territories?

It’s true! For 2009 the following will all be honored on their very own quarter:

• District of Columbia
• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
• Guam
• American Samoa
• United States Virgin Islands
• Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

These coins will follow the completion of the very popular 50 State Quarters program.

The same image used on the 50 State Quarter program will be used for the obverse of the coins. The reverse of the coins will feature images emblematic of the places represented. The design process has already begun in the various locations. The Secretary of the Treasury will select the final designs.

Coins will be issued in equal sequential internals throughout the year.