2009 Lincoln Silver Dollar Commemorative Coin
On February 12, 2009, the US Mint released a commemorative silver dollar to honor Abraham Lincoln. This coin was authorized under Public Law 109-285, the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act, which required the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of President Lincoln.
The obverse of the 2009 Lincoln Silver Dollar features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln which displays his strength and resolve. The obverse was designed by Justin Kunz, after a sculpture of Lincoln created by Daniel Chester which resides in the Lincoln Memorial. The inscriptions include "Liberty", "In God We Trust", and "2009".
The reverse of the coin was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. It features the final 43 words of the Gettysburg Address. The following words appear, surrounded by a laurel wreath: "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, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
The coins were minted in proof and uncirculated versions with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. The proof version was originally priced at $37.95 and the uncirculated version was priced at $31.95. A portion of the price represents a surcharge, which will be payable to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to further their work.
After about a month, the coins sold out of the 450,000 allotted to the individual options offered by the United States Mint. Later in the year, the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set was issued, which included the proof version of the 2009 Lincoln Silver Dollar. This specially issued set was limited to 50,000 and sold out within days.
