United States Mint Director Ed Moy will present the Nation’s first coin with readable Braille at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. NFB President Marc Maurer will join in the presentation of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, along with invited guests that include mathematician and inventor Abraham Nemeth; and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Assistant Administrator for Education Joyce Winterton. NFB first Vice President Frederic Schroeder will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. The presentation includes a special videotaped message from U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd, one of the sponsors of Public Law 109-247-the Louis Braille Bicentennial-Braille Literacy Commemorative Coin Act.

The United States Mint, authorized by Public Law 109-247, is issuing the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar to honor the life and work of the man who invented the Braille method of reading and writing by the blind that has allowed millions of blind people to be literate participants in their societies. The Public Law also provides that a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the commemorative coins is authorized to be paid to the NFB to further its programs to promote Braille literacy.

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar features a portrait of Louis Braille on the obverse (heads side). The reverse (tails side) design depicts a child reading a Braille book. The word INDEPENDENCE is displayed on a bookshelf behind the child and the word Braille, abbreviated BRL in Braille code, is featured in the upper field. (more…)

New Coin Goes into Circulation on 200th Anniversary of Revered Leader’s Birthday

HODGENVILLE, Ky. – The United States Mint launched the first redesigned one-cent coin (penny) in 50 years in a ceremony today-the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The redesigned Lincoln penny, released into circulation today, features a log cabin on the coin’s reverse (tails side), emblematic of Lincoln’s humble roots in Kentucky.

“The new Lincoln cent is a milestone moment for the United States Mint and for our country,” said United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart. “The coin is a tribute to a humble man who rose to great heights living by principles of honesty, integrity and loyalty, principles that never go out of fashion. More importantly, Americans will forever hold dear Lincoln’s legacy – an enduring Nation, united in the pursuit of equality for all.”

Mr. Brunhart and Kentucky Governor Steven L. Beshear presented thousands of shiny, new one-cent coins to children ages 18 and under in attendance at a ceremonial launch held at the LaRue County High School gymnasium. Following the ceremony, participants exchanged their coins and currency for the one-cent coins bearing the new design.

The log cabin design is the first of four new designs Americans will see on the reverse of the penny this year. Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE CENT, as well as the inscription 1809, the year President Lincoln was born. The coin’s reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz. (more…)

This year the Nation will celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. To commemorate the occasion, the United States Mint is releasing the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar on February 12, Lincoln’s 200th birthday, at 12:00 noon Eastern Time (ET). Public Law 109-285, the “Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act,” authorizes the United States Mint to pay qualifying surcharges collected from the sale of these commemorative coins to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to further its work.

Mintage for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar is set at 500,000 coins across all product options. Available options include proof and uncirculated versions of the coin, struck in 90 percent silver. A special set containing a proof silver dollar and proof versions of four 2009 Lincoln one-cent coins-each bearing a design representative of a different aspect of Lincoln’s life-is expected to be available in the spring. The special set will be limited to 50,000 units.

Pricing for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar is as follows:

Proof Silver Dollar: Introductory Price – $37.95 Regular Price – $41.95
Unc Silver Dollar: Introductory Price – $31.95 Regular Price – $33.95

The introductory sales period ends on March 16, 2009, at 5:00 pm ET, when regular prices will go into effect.

The designs of the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar are emblematic of the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. The obverse (heads side) features an image symbolic of Lincoln’s strength and resolve. The image was inspired by Daniel Chester French’s famous sculpture of the President that sits inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The design-created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart-includes the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2009. (more…)