Danr, The following link provides information for the set. http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=986 The 2nd link states: "...In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue numismatic one-cent coins in 2009 with the exact metallic content as contained in the 1909 one-cent coin (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). These numismatic versions will be included in the United States Mint’s annual product offerings. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/lincolnRedesign/ Al
"These coins will be issued for circulation in quantities to meet the demands of commerce. In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue numismatic one-cent coins in 2009 with the exact metallic content as contained in the 1909 one-cent coin (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). These numismatic versions will be included in the United States Mint’s annual product offerings." It appears that these cents will be in all proof and mint sets. The 50,000 mintage special set will not be that special after all. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The set could be considered an annual product offering as well depending on wheither you cnsider "annual product offerings" to mean those products we offer annually, or our annual offering of products. The language is not clear. I have seen the press release that describes the mint set for this year and it DOES state that the cents in it will be the copper alloy, but apparently the circulation composition cents will NOT be in the mint set.
Maybe I will shoot them a call. If the copper cents are in mint sets I may pass, if the copper cents are 50,000 mintage I will pull the trigger.
I would bet the copper cents will be in the proof sets as well. No way they are only going the have a 50,000 mintage.