US mint releases 2009 Lincoln coin amid frequent price adjustments

The set gives collectors the final opportunity to acquire an Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Proof Silver Dollar. Earlier this year, the same coin distributed by the US Mint sold out of 325,000 coins in under six weeks.

The set also contains four 2009-S Lincoln Proof Copper Cents, a reproduced Abraham Lincoln photograph, a reproduction of the Gettysburg Address in Abraham Lincoln's handwriting, and a certificate of Authenticity, all contained in a slip-covered leather-like tri-fold case. The four 2009 Lincoln cents included in the set are different from the circulating varieties. Like the alloy used to strike the 1909 Lincoln penny, these contain 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc.

There are only 50,000 of the US Mint sets available worldwide, and a strict limit of one order per household. The 50,000-set limit comes from the act authorizing the Lincoln Bicentennial coins. A cap of 500,000 was put on the coins. After the 325,000 that sold earlier in the year, plus the 125,000 uncirculated coins already sold, only 50,000 were left to be made available.

The set is retailed at $55.95. Even before the launch of the set, some people set up auctions on eBay for them, with prices ranging from $100 to $1000. Although most closed auctions have been falling in the $140-$169 range. Coin collectors speculate people will be more willing to pay the higher prices as the 50,000 sets are sold and they are unable to purchase them through the US Mint. In fact, a one-day sellout is a real possibility.

In the midst of the excitement of the set's launch, the US Mint is watching gold prices carefully. The prices of gold collector coins have been adjusted every week for the past month due to the rising price of gold. On Tuesday, gold hit an all-time high of $1,065 an ounce. Though many feel that the price of gold has little impact on their lives, seeing the increasing prices of gold collector coins makes it more real.

The set launched at 12 noon EST today. In addition to being available online at the , they may be purchased by phone using the toll-free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468), or 1-888-321-MINT (6468) for the hearing- and speech-impaired.