Coin Type – Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial – 2009

As the bicentennial of President Lincoln’s birthday approached in 2009, Congress wanted to honor our 16^th President and the man who led us through our bloody Civil War. Congress not only authorized 4 different reverse designs for the Lincoln Cent, which would be celebrating its own Centennial that year as well; it also authorized a Commemorative Silver Dollar to be issued.  

The obverse of the Commemorative Silver Dollar was designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Don Everhart, and features a portrait of President Lincoln, facing right. To the left of Lincoln’s bust are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and to the right is the word “LIBERTY,” and the date of issue “2009.”  

The reverse of this coin was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill of the US Mint. It features the final 43 words of Lincoln’s most famous speech – the Gettysburg Address, which was spoken on the actual battlefield, not long after the battle was over. The final verse of that address is well-known by most Americans and states: 

“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, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 

The entire excerpt of his Address is surrounded by a laurel wreath. The upper periphery bears the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and there is a banner beneath the wreath. The banner has a facsimile signature of Lincoln in the center, “ONE DOLLAR” to the left, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to the right.  

(A 2009-P Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].) 

The coins were struck in both uncirculated and proof finishes at the Philadelphia Mint. They were offered individually, and the uncirculated coin was also packaged into an educational set, enclosed in a tri-fold package. 

Congress had authorized a total of 500,000 coins across all types. Of the 450,000 coins allocated to individual sales, all were sold, which was unusual for commemorative coinage. The proof version of the Silver Dollar was also packaged in a Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set, along with all 4 of the Proof Lincoln Cents from 2009 with differing reverses, a reproduction of the Gettysburg Address and a portrait of President Lincoln. All 50,000 of these sets sold out as well.  

(A 2009-P Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)