Maybe this has already been posted, and I missed it. I'm curious what members think of this year. I have listed some of the things I saw and remember: 1. Lincoln Cents- First time ever the mint did something like this with the cent. Lot of hype and at least in the beginning selling for prices over the top in my opinion. These coins have been hoarded by the millions. I wonder if any other coin has a higher number hoarded away. Some people did quite well flipping these. Also the original copper content was a interesting aspect added by the mint. My favorites of the four are the Fomative Years and the Professional Life. The mint cashed in with the "frenzy" selling roll sets and later issuing a cent only proof set, I think the latter took many by surprise. 2. Lincoln Silver Dollar- In my opinion a beautiful coin. I don't think anyone doubted these would be sell out, and they were sold out rather quickly. Actually it took a little longer than I thought it would. Lot of speculation on these about what their future will be, I'll be keeping mine regardless. 3. Lincoln Chronicle Set- Another item I don't think anyone doubted would be a sellout, and currently selling at a definite premium on ebay. I just feel lucky I was able to get one. To me one of the best packaging jobs ever done by the mint. I think many people ordered one of these from the mint as a first time ordering directly from the mint. Lot of speculation here also on the future of this set, I just think it is quite beautiful and well done by the mint, I'll be keeping mine. 4. The Sacagawea Dollar changed to Native American with a yearly different reverse, and year taken off the obverse. I'm not sure how popular this series is with collectors. I did get one at the bank. If is remember correctly a few commented on CT they were very impressed with the appearance of this coin in proof. 5. No ASE proof or satin finish burnished dye minted this year. First time not done since they started, took most by surprise. Highest mintage to date I think for the '09 bullion coin since it began in '86. 6. No platinum coins, only gold was the Buffalo Gold fifty dollar. 7. Largest mint and proof sets ever made due to the cents and quarters. 8. The '09 quarter set, a one year issue of six quarters. I personally think they are very beautiful and unique. Very low mintages on the business strikes. The silver and clad proofs are the only coins I have never owned in PF70, I really am very happy with them. I'm not a big fan of slabbed coins, but I wanted to own a set of something in "70", chose these and glad I did. I also the '09 quarters have been overlooked and overshadowed by the cent this year, only time will tell. 9. Coins made for circulation having very low mintages, our economy causing them to not be needed. Even the nickel and dime in business strike were at least for awhile this year bringing hudge premiums. Not sure what they are selling for now. 10. The coin market itself. Many people feel it has gone down or stayed about the same. I read an article just the other day this might be the best time ever to buy the seated series. 11. Coin Talk surpassed twenty-thousand members. The site shut down for a few days causing many to have withdrawal problems. We lost Peter for a few days, but was found by Doug dealing black jack in Reno, welcome back Peter. 12. My son became a coin collector also. I have no doubt I got everything, certainly didn't go into great detail, curious if anyone has anything to add or give their opinions on. For collectors that have been around for a "long" time, any other years to compare with this one?
Very nice summary. 4. ". . .The Sacagawea Dollar changed to Native America. . . If is remember correctly a few commented on CT they were very impressed with the appearance of this coin in proof. . . " Where can I get a Native America proof coin?
After I posted this I read Elaine saying there is. The mint is certainly with surprises this year. I guess this year ain't over 'til it's over.
You can get one in a proof set or ebay if you don't want the whole proof set. Someone here may see your post and PM you about one.
2009 for me is a year I got back into collecting full time after a 15 year dry spell. Really missed it & now my collection is getting better & better compared to what I had as a child/early teen.
I think that 2009 was a good year for the mint, however I'm still in withdrawal on the lack of a 2009W ASE and the lack of 2009 coins in circulation. Oh well, I'm hoping to find 2009 coins in 2010 and beyond. Another reason to check every coin! The lincoln cents, lincoln dollar, and chronicle set were wondeful.
Thanks, I forgot about those. I think there will be a day in the future that we all wished we would have collected them.
Not to sound narcissistic, but 2009 was also the year BNB popped up on these coin forums with a very big wad of money to spend.. I'm sorry but that was a very interesting moment the day I came here saying I have x amount to spend and just dropped it all on some really neat coins..
Yes BNB that is true, forgive me for overlooking that. How could I have forgotten that? Just joking, hope you're still enjoying it here.
For me 2009 was an important year in Numismatics. It was my first full year and it holds a good number of firsts, milestones, and whatnot. Here are my 2009 Firsts, I think this should be all of them: First letter in a coin publication (The Numismatist) First Proof Set (the 2009 silver set, at that) First Coin Show, which included first meeting of other collectors and the first time seeing classic, issued-for-circulation gold (CoinFest, October) First coin not from this millenium (an ancient Greek coin from roughly 350 BC) First time purchasing paper money (before that I had only pulled items out of circulation) First time selling a coin (I sold the excess from a bank wrapped roll of 2008 D dimes) First time mailing a coin internationally (a trade I made to Australia) First coin from the 1600s in my collection (a Polish 1623 3 polker that I got at CoinFest) First completion of a classic (read: Silver) year set (1944) First NON-blurry coin photograph First graded coin (an SEGS 2007 Kennedy half which I was given as a gift) First coin from the Carson City mint (an 1876-CC half dollar which is damaged but still holds a high place in my collection) First Barber half in my collection (1894) First classic Commerative in my collection (a Columbian Exposition half) I THINK that about covers all my 2009 firsts. I wonder what firsts 2010 will have? I would like to be able to say "First Gold coin in my collection" but gold is way, way too expensive for me. With 2009 being my first full year collecting coins and currency, it stands to reason that it will have the most firsts in my entire collecting career, which is really just starting out...While none of that stuff may seem like a big deal to anyone but me, each of those was indeed a big deal to me and is creating memories I will have forever...
Congradulations, that was a lot of "firsts", but they can continue. I've been doing this seriously about nine years and I also had a few firsts: 1. First time to own any graded proofs in PF70. A complete set of the '09 quarters in both silver and clad. 2. My first commemorative also, the '09 Lincoln Silver Dollar. I actually have three. One MS, one PF, and the PF in the Chronicles Set. 3. Completed my Buffalo Nickel Set and my Lincoln Memorial Set. 4. First time I met any Coin Talker's in person. Initially back in January at the Fun Show in Orlando. 5. First time I did any roll searching, my son started as a collector. That is another nice aspect about this hobby, one can take off in new directions with new or different goals. It would be great heating about others "firsts" for the year. I think '09 had (although not really over yet) the capability to provide many of these "firsts".
