Coins - 2009 Proof
Set
For the largest proof set ever, the US Mint included eighteen coins in the 2009 Proof Set.
Wow! Count 'em: the four special cent coins, the six quarters for the District of Columbia and the US
Territories; the four presidential dollar coins for the ninth through twelfth US Presidents, the Native American
dollar coin, the half dollar, the ten cent and five cent coins for the total of 4 + 6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
coins!
The face value for the 2009 Proof Set coins was also the largest ever at $7.19 along with the largest issue
price of $29.95 per set.
2009 Proof Set Package
That many coins required four separate lenses to hold the different collections of coins. Of course, the box had
to be larger at 3 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches by 1 3/8 inches.
Though a different color, the outer box remains the style with openings on each end. The left end is sealed with
a bar code identification on the outer flap. the right end opens to allow the removal of the four lenses and the
certificate.
Powder blue marks the dominant color on the box. The front includes a partial picture of the Statue of Liberty
similar to that of earlier proof sets but with more of the statue shown. The front inscription says, "2009 UNITED
STATES MINT PROOF SET" in the white area with the statue in the background on the left. On the lower portion of the
front of the box, the US Mint's seal and trademarked banner is centered over "UNITED STATES MINT"
The inscription, "2009 UNITED STATES MINT PROOF SET," repeats on both long sides of the box in white font.
On the back, a pale blue-toned picture covers all of the box and is identified with an inscription in black font
as "UNITED STATES MINT AT SAN FRANCISCO."
Inside the 2009 Proof Set, four lenses hold the eighteen coins. The US Mint included a double-folded Certificate
of Authenticity that, of necessity, had to be much larger to hold the specifications for all of the coins in the
set.
2009 Proof Set Content and Proof Coins
One lens holds the five cent, ten cent, half dollar and Native American dollar coins. The obverse of the dime,
half dollar and dollar remained relatively consistent through the years. With the recent Westward Journey versions
of the nickel, this obverse is not new, yet it has not been around long either. This facing portrait of Jefferson
on the nickel began in 2006.
The lens looks somewhat similar, however notice the coins appear to float instead of being tightly held in card
stock circles. The lens still holds the coins securely with an interior clear plastic holder to allow you to view
all around the rim of each coin.
A pale blue-toned card surrounds the coins and shows a portion of the US Constitution beside a US flag. At the
top, "USA" between two stars is embedded in the interior plastic along with two stars at the bottom, one to the
left of the half dollar and one to the right of the dollar coins.
On the reverse, again the dime and half dollar did not see any change. Plus, the nickel reverted to the
Monticello design in 2006. But, in 2009, the US Mint introduced a new reverse design for the Native American
dollar. This first new design shows a Native American woman planting seeds in a field of corn, beans and
squash.
The reverse of the card stock surrounding the coins looks to be random brush strokes in pale blue. In between
the coins, the US Mint's seal and trademark banner printed in black and white floats over the "UNITED STATES MINT"
written in white font.
Another lens holds the six quarters for the District of Columbia and the US Territories including Washington DC,
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.
2009 Proof Set Proof Quarter Lens
With all of the obverse designs the same, the US Mint used the brush stroke image to surround the coins. Plus,
you will note the card stock holds the quarters within their individual circles.
In the middle of the coins in black and white print, the US Mint printed their seal and banner over "UNITED
STATES MINT."
The quarters' reverse images, each reflecting their history, are held in the card stock. In the pale blue-toned
background, an image of the treasury seal shows on the left and a portion of our flag on the right.
2009 Proof Set Proof Penny Lens
The next lens holds the four special cent coins celebrating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth year.
The obverse shows the coins held tightly in card stock. Once again, the image appears to be random brush strokes,
this time in gray. In the middle of the coins is the US Mint seal and banner in black and white over white
lettering, "UNITED STATES MINT."
The reverse side of lens shows the coins in a gray-toned portion of our red, white and blue flag. The top coin
begins the four set journey with the Early Years in Kentucky. The next coin to the right shows the Formative Years
in Indiana. At the bottom, the coin represents Lincoln's Professional Life in Illinois. Lastly, to the left, the
coin shows the white house to represent his Presidency in Washington, DC.
2009 Proof Set Proof Dollar Lens
The fourth lens holds the four presidential dollar coins. 2009 is the fourth year of the presidential coin
program and includes the ninth through twelfth US Presidents: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and
Zachary Taylor.
The obverse shows the four coins floating in plastic surrounded by card stock showing elements of our flag and a
partial view of the Bill of Rights.
At the top, "USA" between two stars is stamped in the interior plastic. At the bottom, two more stars are
embedded in the plastic inside the set.
The inscription states, "UNITED STATES MINT PRESIDENTIAL $1 COIN PROOF SET™" in white font between the
coins.
The rim view of the dollar coins explains the floating packaging. Click here for a closer view of the lettered edge.
The reverse design remains consistent for each of the presidential coins. They are held in card stock with a
pattern of random brush strokes, this time in gold. Between the coins, the US Mint seal and banner is printed in
black and white over "UNITED STATES MINT" in white letters.
The Certificate of Authenticity grew dramatically to hold the message from the US Mint Director. Click here to see the details of the
message.
The specifications for eighteen separate coins require significant space as well. Click here for the coin
specifications.
2009 Proof Set Year Population and Cost of Living
The world population in 2009 was 6,809,972,000. In 2010, the world population is estimated at 6,811,600,000.
$100 in 2009 equals $101.03 in 2010 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Inflation Calculator.
New houses in 2009 cost $270,100 which would be $272,874.81 today.
The average income was $46,242 per year ($46,717.06 in today's dollars).
Gas was $2.41 per gallon ($2.43 in today's money).
The average new car was $26,300 ($26,570.19).
(Chart views into the cost of living changes throughout the Proof Set
years)
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