2009 Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar

by U.S. Mint

The United States Mint will release the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar on February 12, 2009. This date will also mark the 200th aniversary of Lincoln's birth and the release date for the first 2009 Lincoln Cent design. While the commemorative coin's designs and release date had been known previously, there is some new information regarding price and ordering options.

The 2009 Lincoln Commemorative will be offered in both proof and uncirculated versions with a combined maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 coins. According to a recent article from Coin World, the proof coins will be priced at $37.95 and the uncirculated coins will be priced at $31.95. These prices will apply for coins ordered during the pre-issue discount period (February 12 - March 26, 2009). There will be an initial household limit of 100, each for proof and uncirculated coins.

This pricing actually represents a decrease from last year's pricing level for silver dollar commemoratives. The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollars were priced at $39.95 and $35.95 during the pre-issue discount period.

The US Mint will reserve 50,000 coins from the 500,000 maximum authorized mintage for inclusion within a special set. This set will feature proof versions of all four 2009 Lincoln Cents and the proof version of the 2009 Lincoln Commemorative. This set has not been listed on the US Mint's product release schedule, but should be available in the spring.

In my opinion, the 2009 Lincoln Commemorative will be popular and has the potential for a sell out. Lincoln is a well known historical figure, which usually bolsters commemorative coin sales. The release of the four newly designed 2009 Lincoln Cents should also serve to build collector and even mainstream awareness of the commemorative coin. Lastly, if the unavailability of the 2009-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles and 2009 Proof Silver Ealges continues, collectors may opt to purchase silver coins from the US Mint's commemoartive programs.

The last comemorative silver dollar to sell out was the 2006 Benjamin Franklin Commemorative. Prior to that was the 2001 American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar. Last year's 2007 Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar came close with total combined sales across all product options of 415,122 out of a maximum 500,000.