Mar 26, 2009 | coins, commemorative, US Mint
In a ceremony earlier today at the National Foundation for the Blind headquarters in Baltimore, US Mint Director Ed Moy and NFB President Marc Maurer introduced the nation’s first coin with readable braille. the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
“For the first time in history, the United States has a coin with readable Braille,” Director Moy told the audience. “The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar honors the developer of Braille, a tactile code that has been instrumental in the literacy and independence of the world’s blind people.”
Authorized by Public Law 109-247 (GPO: [Text] [PDF]), the Mint is limited to issuing 400,000 coins. The $10 surcharge, a maximum of $4 million, will be paid to the NFB to promote braille literacy. The NFB reports that the money will be used in its Jernigan Institute and Braille Literacy Campaign to double the number of school-age children reading braille by 2015.
According the the NFB:
An astounding 90 percent of blind people today are Braille illiterate. This would be viewed as a national outrage if the same crisis faced sighted individuals, and yet blind people continue to be deprived of the Braille education and resources they need to obtain jobs, pursue stimulating careers, and enjoy the same opportunities as sighted individuals. Further, Braille illiteracy is the leading contributor to a shocking 70 percent unemployment rate among 1.3 million blind Americans and it’s only going to get worse—70,000 people are losing their sight each year.
To help fund Braille literacy programs, the NFB has teamed with the U.S. Mint to issue the first coin ever to feature readable Braille. The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar will be launched this Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the NFB’s headquarters in Baltimore, MD, after which the coin will be available for purchase…. Every coin sold will support Braille education nationwide and ensure that every blind American enjoys the same opportunities for success as sighted individuals.
The National Federation of the Blind is also publishing a report to the nation, titled “THE BRAILLE LITERACY CRISIS IN AMERICA: Facing the Truth, Reversing the Trend, Empowering the Blind.” The report, a comprehensive overview of the crisis and proposed solutions to reverse it, is currently under embargo until the launch day on March 26, when it will be posted online at www.nfb.org and www.braille.org.
I believe in supporting a good cause. If support also comes with a cool collectible, then it makes sense to buy. I hope this commemorative sells out!
Feb 12, 2009 | coins, commemorative, dollar, US Mint
Starting at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time, the US Mint will begin to sell the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar. The commemorative is limited to a production of 500,000 coins by law and will be available in proof and uncirculated versions. Coins will be struck in 90-percent silver and will have a face value of one dollar.
The obverse of the coin was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The image was inspired by Daniel Chester French’s famous sculpture of the President that sits inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
The reverse was designed and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design features the an inscription of the last 43 words of the Gettysburg Address:
WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN–THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM—AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.
These words are encircled by a laurel wreath with Lincoln’s signature incuse into a banner at the bottom of the design.
From the first availability until 5:00 PM on March 16, 2009, the Mint will sell these coins at a reduced price. According to the Mint’s press release pricing has been set as follows:
| Product Code |
Description |
Introductory Price |
Regular Price |
| LN7 |
Proof Silver Dollar |
$37.95 |
$41.95 |
| LN8 |
Uncirculated Silver Dollar |
$31.95 |
$33.95 |
| LN6 |
Special Set |
— |
— |
The special set will contain a proof silver dollar and proof versions of the four 2009 Lincoln Cents. The set will be available in the spring and will be limited to 50,000 units. The special set sounds interesting and worth waiting to see how the Mint will price this option.
Images courtesy of the US Mint.
Jan 16, 2009 | coins, commemorative, legislative
One day after the convening of the 111th Congress, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) introduced H. R. 255, NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act even though NASA’s 50th Anniversary was in 2008. The bill was referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
Since a similar bill introduced in the second session of the 110th congress did not pass, Rep. Jackson Lee introduced it for consideration in the new congress. Currently, the bill has two co-sponsors and may not have the support to pass in NASA’s 51st year.
This is the first coin bill of the 111th congress. I am sure that there are more to come!
Jan 14, 2009 | coins, commemorative
Challenge coins are medals that bears an organization’s logo or emblem that are carried by the members and given to outsiders as an honor. In the United States, challenge coins are part of military tradition that started during World War I when Ivy League students went to war and created these coins as an act of camaraderie. Legend has it that one coin saved the life of a pilot.
According to legend, a pilot was shot down behind enemy lines and captured by German soldiers. Sine the pilot kept the coin in a pouch around his neck, the Germans did not confiscate his coin. That evening, the pilot was kept in a French-German town that was bombarded in the evening by allied forces. The pilot escaped during the bombing. During the next day, the pilot came upon a French military unit who was told to watch for German soldiers posing as citizens. To prevent from being arrested and executed by the French soldiers, the pilot showed them his challenge coin. One of the soldiers recognized the insignia and delayed the execution until they were able to verify the pilot’s identity. Once the story spread, a tradition was born!
Challenge coins were named on the tradition of the challenge. When a member draws his or her challenge coin and slaps it on the table, others must produce their challenge coin. If someone does not have their challenge coin, that person must buy a round of drinks for the group. The challenge is used as a morale builder amongst the group.
NBC Nightly News broadcast a story about the production of challenge coins at the Highland Mint in Melborne, Florida. The story noted that commemorative coins are a “half-billion dollar a year business.” At the end of the story, reporter Roger O’Neil challenged Brian Williams with an NBC challenge coin. Williams not only showed his challenge coin, but showed off a collection of challenge coins he received during his career. Watch the story:
I wonder if Brian Williams collects other coins?
Dec 20, 2008 | cents, coins, commemorative, dollar, Eagles, gold, quarter, state quarters, US Mint
As we end 2008 and look to 2009, numismatists are going to have a lot of options to add to their collections. There will be quite a number of coins that will excite many. But the shear numbers may be overwhelming to others. However you feel, the US Mint will have a very busy year. Let’s look at what is coming up in the new year.
First, three coins will not see any changes. The “Return to Monticello” Jefferson Nickel introduced in 2006 will not be changed. Neither will the Roosevelt Dime, in circulation since 1946, and the Kennedy Half Dollar, as it has been since 1964 except for the Bicentennial issues.
For 2009, we will celebrate the bicentennial birthday of Abraham Lincoln. In celebration, congress has authorized the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program as part of Public Law 105-145. As part of this program, the Mint will issue four reverse design representing Lincoln’s birth and early childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816), his formative years in Indiana (1816-1830), his professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861), and an extraordinary presidency in Washington, DC (1861-1865).
As part of the Lincoln Cent program, the US Mint will issue a 2009-S VDB non-circulating coin that will be struck in the .950 copper alloy used when the 1909-S VDB was first struck. Also, Public Law 109-285 was passed earlier this year that created Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar to round out the celebration of our 16th president.
To round out the State Quarter program, 2009 will issue quarters to honor the District of Columbia and five US territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The DC and US Territories Quarter Program authorized by congress in an amendment as part of an omnibus budget bill at the end of 2007.
The same omnibus budget bill also removed the motto “IN G-D WE TRUST” from the edge of the dollar coins. The amendment was introduced by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) who was defeated for re-election.
The Presidential $1 Coin Program continues in 2009 to honor presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor. Harrison had the shortest term when he died one month into office after contracting the flu following his refusal to wear an overcoat during his two-hour inaugural address on a cold day in March, 1841. All of the packaging options with Presidential $1 Coins will not be offered in 2009 after not selling well the last two years.
Along with the presidents, the First Spouse Gold Coins will be issued for Anna Harrison, Letitia Tyler, Julia Tyler, Sarah Polk and Margaret Taylor. Letitia Tyler was the first President’s wife to die in the White House. Julia Tyler became First Lady after marrying John Tyler in 1844.
Native American $1 Coins program will begin in 2009 with a design honoring the “Three Sisters’ agriculture, in which corn, beans and squash growing in the same mound enhanced the productivity of each plant. It was a unique program that lead to the concept of crop rotation we know today. This change was authorized by Public Law 110-82 and add edge lettering to these coins.
That brings the total number of circulating coins to 18! Proof sets will have 18 coins and the uncirculated Mint Sets will have 36 coins. Although the Mint has not announced pricing, it would be fair to guess that the prices will raise with more coins in the set. Clad and Mint sets should see a modest price increase. Silver proof sets will add an additional silver quarter and is likely to see a $10-15 rise in price.
Beyond circulating coinage, the Mint will produce the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the 200th anniversary of Braille’s birth. It is being touted by the Mint as being the first coin with readable Braille.
Precious metals programs will change in 2009. First, only the bullion issues of the American Eagle coins will be strucl. The Mint has discontinued the collector’s uncirculated coin program, eliminating the W mintmark from their portfolio. American Eagles will be available in proof and bullion coins in one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and tenth-ounce denominations.
American Buffalo 24-Karat Gold Coins will also continue in 2009 but without fractional issues. The Mint will offer only one-ounce proof and investor bullion coins.
Last, but certainly not least, is probably the most intriguing coin that will be issued in 2009: the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin. The coin’s design will be a high-relief $20 gold piece on a double-thick, 24-karat gold planchet (sometimes called a piefort) 27 millimeters in diameter. The design will feature Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ original 1907 design where the date will be in roman numerals (MMIX). The inspiration for this coin came from 1907 when the Mint tried to strike an experimental double eagle coins using two stacked $10 eagle planchets. When the Mint’s management realized that congress would have to approve the striking of the coin for circulation, the project was abandoned and the test pieces were melted. Aside from the date, the only difference between the 1907 test pieces and the 2009 bullion issue is that the the motto “In G-D We Trust” will be added over the rising sun as it appeared in 1908. It is expected that these coins will be struck in proof-only varieties.
It will be quite a year!
Dec 1, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
Today, the White House announced that President Bush signed H.R. 5714, the “United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008,” now Public Law Number 110-450 [text or PDF]. The bill calls for 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 clad half-dollars commemoratives in 2011 to recognize the founding of the United States Army in 1775. “The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today.”
Proceeds from the surcharges will go to the financing of the National Museum of the United States Army.
Nov 20, 2008 | commemorative, US Mint
Seven score and five years ago, Abraham Lincoln brought forth a message, conceived in war, read in peace, and remembered more fondly than the initial reaction.
The country was engaged in a great civil war that tested the foundation of the 87 year old nation. They stood on the bloodiest battlefield of that war. He read that speech dedicating the final resting place of citizens and brothers who fought for principle and died for a cause. Lincoln said that “it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
In a larger sense, Lincoln did not understand the impact of his address on the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He paid tribute to those who lived and survived from that battle. But Lincoln said, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” The world notes and remembers what happened as we celebrate our freedom.
On November 19, during the annual Dedication Day Ceremony at Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the US Mint attended to unveil the design for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin.
The obverse of the coin was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The image was inspired by Daniel Chester French’s famous sculpture of the President that sits inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
The reverse was designed and sculpted by Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design features the an inscription of the last 43 words of the Gettysburg Address:
WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN–THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM–AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.
These words are encircled by a laurel wreath with Lincoln’s signature incuse into a banner at the bottom of the design.
The US Mint is authorized to strike 500,000 coins at the Philadelphia Mint. Proceeds from the sale of the coins will be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
I like the design. If it is executed as good as these line drawings, it will be a fantastic coin!
Images courtesy of the US Mint.
Nov 19, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
It appears that the lame duck session of congress will do what it can to clean up some unfinished business. As part of this spirit, the Senate picked up H.R. 5714, United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008, from the hopper as sent from the House and passed it by unanimous consent.
The bill calls $5 gold coins with a limit of 100,000 minted, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 clad half-dollars commemoratives in 2011 to recognize the founding of the United States Army in 1775. “The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today.”
Once the bill is engrossed it will be sent to the president for his expected signature.
Oct 10, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
To give commemorative collectors little good news, President Bush signed H.R. 3229, National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act, and H.R. 5872, Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, into law today as Public Law 110-357 and P.L. 363, respectively.
The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act will begin in 2010 to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of scouting in the United States. National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act is scheduled for 2012. Read my previous article, Infantry and Boy Scouts, for more information about these commemoratives.
Oct 4, 2008 | coins, commemorative, legislative
The House of Representatives passed the “Stimulus Package” yesterday, and went into their “clean up” mode. As part of that exercise, the house passed H.R. 5714, their version of the United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008. This came one day after the Senate passed S. 2579.
Before the bill was passed, one amendment was offered. Although the text of the amendment was not available at the time I write this, it may have been offered to synchronize this bill with its Senate ounterpart. In these cases, a conference committee will pick one bill and send it back to both chambers for an up or down vote. This will probably be done during the lame duck session that follows the election.
In a ceremony earlier today at the National Foundation for the Blind headquarters in Baltimore, US Mint Director Ed Moy and NFB President Marc Maurer introduced the nation’s first coin with readable braille. the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar.
Authorized by Public Law 109-247 (GPO: [Text] [PDF]), the Mint is limited to issuing 400,000 coins. The $10 surcharge, a maximum of $4 million, will be paid to the NFB to promote braille literacy. The NFB reports that the money will be used in its Jernigan Institute and Braille Literacy Campaign to double the number of school-age children reading braille by 2015.
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