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.

The United States Mint is authorized to mint and issue 500,000 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar coins to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth in 1809. Authorized by Public Law 109-285, the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollars will be struck at the United States Mint at Philadelphia in proof and uncirculated versions. Surcharges collected from the sale of these commemorative coins are authorized to be paid to the ALBC to further its work.

The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar in early 2009.