United States Mint Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart today unveiled designs for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar during the annual Dedication Day Ceremony at Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The unveiling took place on the 145th anniversary of the dedication of Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address in 1863. Renowned historical documentary director Ken Burns, Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania Vice President Ronald L. Hankey and Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC) Co-Chairman Harold Holzer also participated in the ceremony.

“It is my great honor to represent the United States Mint on the 145th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,” Deputy Director Brunhart said. “It is also my great privilege to introduce the designs for the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar to the American people.”

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

The coin’s reverse (tails side) was designed and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The design features the following inscription: 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 immortal words-the last 43 words of the Gettysburg Address-are encircled by a laurel wreath. Above the wreath is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Below the wreath, Lincoln’s signature is incused in the center of a curling banner. ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM are incused on either side of his signature. (more…)

The US Mint issued a Press release on Monday that announced the following:

“The United States Mint is conducting a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of its numismatic product portfolio to focus next year on those products collectors most appreciate and order most often.

“We are responding to the collector community which has spoken loudly and clearly,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “Customers have told us there are just too many products. We agree, and it’s time the United States Mint trims down and concentrates on the products our customers love most.”

Trimming the 2009 portfolio will afford the United States Mint the opportunity to focus resources on its core products. It will spotlight offerings with broad appeal, such as its annual United States Mint Proof Sets. With fewer products to manufacture, the United States Mint will be able to offer proof sets and other products earlier in the calendar year beginning in 2010, making them available for customers to purchase for more occasions.

The United States Mint relied principally on the number of units sold in determining which products or product lines have been most popular with collectors and other customers. More than 550 individual coin and medal products were evaluated; nearly 200 of those coin and medal products will remain in the new portfolio.

The United States Mint will analyze its products each year to ensure the best portfolio is maintained.” (more…)

Hawaii Quarter Signals the End of the Most Successful Coin Program in U.S. History

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint closes the book on one of the most successful coin programs in U.S. history on November 3, 2008, when the final commemorative quarter-dollar coin in the 50 State Quarters® Program, honoring Hawaii, is released into circulation. At noon Eastern Time the same day, customers can begin ordering coin options featuring the Hawaii quarter-dollar that include a two-roll set priced at $32.95, and 100- and 1,000-coin bags priced at $32.95 and $309.95, respectively.

The reverse (tails) design of the Hawaii quarter, by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, features Hawaiian monarch King Kamehameha I with his right hand extended toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Inscriptions include the State motto, “UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘?INA I KA PONO” (”The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”), “Hawaii” and “1959.”

The coins contained in the bags and rolls were struck on the main production floors of the United States Mint at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation. The two-roll set includes one roll each of 40 coins-bearing the “D” and “P” mint marks-wrapped in distinctive packaging displaying the 50 State Quarters logo, the mint of origin, the official state abbreviation and the dollar value of the contents. Each canvas bag has a tag denoting the mint of origin and the state abbreviation.

The Hawaii quarter will be launched in a ceremony at Bishop Square in downtown Honolulu at noon (Hawaii Standard Time) on November 10, 2008. (more…)

The United States Mint today released the four new portraits that will appear on the obverse (heads side) of Presidential $1 Coins in 2009. The coins honor former Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

“We hope Americans not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the Presidential $1 Coins, but also remember each President’s legacy every time they use the coins in their daily transactions,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use, save the taxpayers money, and are durable and last for decades.”

Beginning with the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin next year, “In God We Trust” will appear on the obverse of all Presidential $1 Coins. As a result, the edge lettering of the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will be slightly different from that of 2007 and 2008. Where currently there are single dots (delimiters) between the inscriptions, in 2009 there will be three stars between “E Pluribus Unum” and the mint mark and 10 stars between the year of minting and “E Pluribus Unum.”

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 directed the United States Mint to inscribe the year of minting or issuance, and the national mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” on the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin. In 2008, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included a provision directing the Secretary of the Treasury to move the inscription “In God We Trust” from the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin to the obverse (heads side) or reverse (tails side) of the coin. (more…)