2009 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set

The 2009 Uncirculated Mint Set will go on sale today October 1, 2009 at 12:00 Noon ET. This year's set will include a total of 36 different coins, including eight 2009 Lincoln Cents that cannot be obtained from any other source.
The 2009 Mint Set was initially planned for a summer launch, however, unique tarnish issues with the 95% copper cents contained in the sets caused a delay. By comparison, the 2008 Mint Set had been released on July 30, 2008, making this year's set 3 months late.

Each set will include the following coins:

2009 P & D Presidential Dollars - This includes four different designs featuring William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor.

2009 P & D Native American Dollar - This is the first issue of the new series featuring the obverse of the prior Sacagawea Dollar paired with an annually rotating reverse design.

2009 P & D Kennedy Halves

2009 P & D DC & US Territory Quarters - This includes six different designs featuring the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands

2009 P & D Roosevelt Dimes

2009 P & D Jefferson Nickels

2009 P & D Lincoln Cents - This includes all four designs featuring Lincoln's Birthplace, Formative Years, Professional Life, and Presidency. The coins are struck with a composition of 95% copper, 3% zinc, and 2% tin- the same composition that was used for the first Lincoln Cents issued in 1909.

All coins will feature the satin finish that has been used on Mint Sets since 2005. The finish is different than the one used for standard circulation strike coins. The coins will come in two separate display folders, one containing coins from the Philadelphia Mint and one containing coins from the Denver Mint. The image currently appearing on the US Mint's website shows the same outer design for the folders that was used in the prior year.

The sets are priced at $27.95, which represents an increase of $5 from the cost of last year's set, which contained 28 coins.

I expect that sales of the 2009 Mint Set will be strong and the long term prospects of the set seem favorable. This is due in large part to the inclusion of the special 2009 Lincoln Cents. As of now, this set will be the only source for the satin finish 95% copper 2009 P & D Lincoln Cents. These coins will be the key to a complete collection of 2009 Lincoln Cents.

By comparison, the 95% copper Proof 2009 Lincoln Cents, which have been very popular with collectors, are available from four different sources. The coins are included in the 2009 Proof Set, the 2009 Silver Proof Set, the separate 2009 Lincoln Proof Set, and the upcoming Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set. This variety of sources contribute to greater availability and a higher mintage for the proof versions as opposed to the satin finish versions.