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1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
The 1909 S VDB Lincoln Cent is generally considered to be the "Holy Grail" of Lincoln Cents and is usually the first "rare and valuable" coin people hear about when first being introduced to the world of coin collecting. The designer of the new Lincoln Cent, Victor David Brenner, included his initials "V.D.B." on the reverse of the coin and 20,000,000 coins were minted at the Philadelphia mint before the decision was made to remove the initials. Only 484,000 were released for circulation by the San Francisco mint, however, which makes it the rarest Lincoln cent ever produced.
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1914-D Lincoln Cent
Although not nearly as famous as the 1909-S VDB, the 1914-D Lincoln Cent only had a mintage of 1,193,000 coins and is therefore considered a secondary key date of the series. As the coin presses in Denver shut down production of the one cent coin in 1914, no one regarded the 1914-D as a rarity. Consequently, most of the 1.2 million mintage entered circulation, where they acquired heavy wear or became lost forever.
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1922 (Plain) Lincoln Cent
In 1922, only the Denver Mint was responsible for producing Lincoln Cents. Four different die pairs were used to mint the 1922-D Lincoln Cents, due to the Denver Mint running out of usable dies with thousands of cents needing to be struck to fill their quota. One of the die pairs (Die Pair #2) clashed together, resulting in damage to both the obverse and reverse die. The reverse die was so badly damaged that it was replaced with a newer, less worn die. The obverse die, however, was reworked by a mint employee who erased all traces of the D mintmark while repairing and polishing the die. The result is a worn obverse die with no trace of a mintmark and a strong reverse die.
No mintage figures are available for the 1922 (plain) Lincoln Cent, but they are scarce enough to actually be worth more than the more famous 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent to most collectors.
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1897-0 Liberty Head ("Barber") Half Dollar
The Liberty Head Half Dollar, featuring a design by Charles E. Barber, was minted from 1892 until 1915 at the New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), Philadelphia (P) and Denver (Mints). Most years saw production runs in the millions at each mint, but the production run of 1897 at the New Orleans mint was one of the lowest at only 632,000. As a result, the 1897-O Barber Half Dollar is worth significantly more than most other examples, even in poor condition. Note that the Barber Half Dollar, like all Barber coinage, saw very heavy and long term use in daily commerce and, consequentially, most surviving examples are heavily worn.
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| 1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Proof Set |
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Released on August 28, 1992, this commemorative coin set honors the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus .It includes a silver dollar and a clad half dollar, each with their own specific designs and both struck as proof.
The obverse of the dollar features a full-length portrait of Christopher Columbus holding a banner in his right hand, a scroll in his left hand, and he is standing next to a globe atop a pedestal to his left. The background displays three sailing vessels. The reverse features an image of the Santa Maria and the U.S. Space Shuttle Discovery, with the Earth and a star to the upper right of the shuttle.
The obverse of the half dollar features a full-length portrait of Christopher Columbus at landfall, arms outstretched, with his disembarking crew and a small boat behind him to his right, and a ship behind him on the left. The reverse features three ships under sail within an inner circular border.
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| 2001 American Buffalo Two-Coin Commemorative Silver Dollar Set |
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The American Buffalo Commemorative Coin was available from the U.S. Mint from June 7, 2001, until it sold out on June 21, 2001. The authorized mintage limit was 500,000 coins. The coin commemorates the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. The design recreates the famous Buffalo Nickel minted from 1913 to 1938. That design features two American icons: a Native American profile and an American buffalo.
This coin was minted in both a proof and an uncirculated version, and this special set contains one of each.
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| Silver American Eagle 25th Anniversary Set (2011) |
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The United States Mint began issuing the Silver American Eagle in 1986. For the 25th anniversary of this annually released coin, the mint released a special collector's set in a blue laquered hardwood box. The set consisted of the following five coins:
- American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin – mint mark: “W” (West Point)
- American Eagle Silver Proof Coin – mint mark: “W” (West Point)
- American Eagle Silver Reverse Proof Coin – mint mark: “P” (Philadelphia)*
- American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin – no mint mark
- American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin – mint mark: “S” (San Francisco)*
Only 100,000 of these sets were created. They went on sale at noon on October 27, 2011, and sold out within 4 1/2 hours. Many of the sets have been broken up to be graded and slabbed, but I feel this takes away from the beauty of the set when seen in its original goverment packaging.
* Only available as part of the anniversary set
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2012 $50 American Gold Eagle (Proof)
The American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins and are available (in limited mintages) in four weights – one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce (as well as a four-coin set which contains one coin in each weight). Each is minted of 22K gold, and the gross weight of 1.0909 troy ounces for the $50 coin means that it contains one solid troy ounce of pure gold.
The obverse features the version of Liberty that was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and which first appeared on the United States $20 (or "double eagle) gold piece in 1907.
The reverse design features a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.
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2012 $100 American Platinum Eagle (Proof)
American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins contains 99.95 percent pure platinum and are only available (in limited mintages) in the one ounce size.
The obverse features Lady Liberty, symbolizing vigilance and faithfulness to duty.
The reverse design is emblematic of the principle “To Provide for the Common Defence” (the fourth of six principles of American democracy found in the Preamble to the United States Constitution). A vigilant minuteman from the Revolutionary War represents the protection and defense of the country during its early days. The minuteman carries a rifle and a book, which symbolizes the importance of knowledge in defending our Nation. The reverse also features an American Eagle privy mark from an original “coin punch” identified at the United States Mint at Philadelphia. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 oz., .9995 PLATINUM and $100.
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| 2012 American Eagle San Francisco Two-Coin Silver Proof Set |
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Originally billed as a special set of American Silver Eagles commemorating the 75th anniversary of the San Francisco mint, this set ended up being sold as a specially packaged set of American Silver Eagles minted at the San Francisco mint. What makes this set so nice, though (apart from the nifty packaging) is that (a) these are the first proof American Silver Eagles to bear the "S" mint mark and (b) the set includes both a regular proof and a reverse proof.
This set comes in the same, albeit smaller, blue laquered hardwood box that the 25th anniversary set came in. Mintage was "to demand" for a month, and the total number of sets minted ended up being 224,981.
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| 2013 American Eagle West Point Two-Coin Silver Set |
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| Reverse Proof |
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Enhanced Uncirculated |
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This set includes one American Eagle Silver Reverse Proof Coin and one "Enhanced" American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin (the first one ever produced) minted at the United States Mint at West Point. On the obverse of the "Enhanced" uncirculated coin, the mountains, the red stripes and blue parts of the United States flag, the year, and Liberty’s sandals have an uncirculated finish. The remaining elements and lettering on the obverse have the heavy frosted finish. On the reverse of the coin, the ribbon in the eagle’s beak, the arrows and olive branch, the alternating stripes in the shield and the border around the shield have an uncirculated finish. The lettering and other design elements on the reverse have the heavy frosted finish. The fields on both sides of the coin have the light frosted finish. All these enhancements – unique to the American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin in this set – add sharp definition to the designs.
The set came in the same blue laquered hardwood box as the 2012 American Eagle San Francisco Two-Coin Silver Proof Set. Mintage was "to demand" for a month, and the total number of sets minted ended up being 235,689.
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| 2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Gold Proof |
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The Kennedy Half Dollar was first introduced in 1964 and has been continuously minted since that time (although in recent years they have only been made available as part of mint sets and in rolls intended for collectors and not for circulation). To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic coin, the Mint produced several special versions of the Kennedy Half Dollar in 2014. The most impressive (and desirable) version is this 24K solid gold proof version, minted at the West Point Mint, that contains .75 troy ounces of gold and was sold in a special hardwould display box.
Aside from the fact that this is the first half dollar ever struck in gold, another unique feature is that it bears the dates 1964-2014 instead of just the standard date. Also, the image used on the obverse of the coin is the original portait of John F. Kennedy that was used for the 1964 mintage instead of the slightly softened version that was used for later years.
The 2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar Gold Proof was minted to demand, and more than 60,000 were sold on the first day of issue. The total amount actually minted was approximately 73,000 as of August 2015.
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| 2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection |
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| Reverse Proof |
Proof |
Enhanced Uncirculated |
Uncirculated |
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The Kennedy Half Dollar was first introduced in 1964 and has been continuously minted since that time (although in recent years they have only been made available as part of mint sets and in rolls intended for collectors and not for circulation). To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic coin, the Mint produced several special versions of the Kennedy Half Dollar in 2014. The 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half-Dollar Silver Coin Collection consists of four seprate versions of the Kennedy half-dollar, each struck in 90% pure silver: a Reverse Proof, a Proof, an "Enhanced" Uncirculated and a standard Uncirculated coin.
The 2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar Silver Collection coins were minted to demand and the total amount minted was approximately 215,000 as of August 2015
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| 2015 March of Dimes Special Silver Set |
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This set was created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes. It includes a silver proof Roosevelt Dime from the Philadelphia mint, a silver reverse proof Roosevelt Dime from the West Point mint (the first such dime ever produced) and a special commemorative March of Dimes proof silver dollar.
The obverse of the commemorative dollar features portraits of both President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dr. Jonas Salk, two leaders in the fight against polio. The reverse depicts a baby resting in the hand of a parent, representing the March of Dimes foundation’s dedication to the health of babies everywhere.
The two dimes were only sold as part of this special set and production for this set was capped at 75,000 units with 74,430 actually being sold. The commemorative dollar was also available separately and the total mintage of the coin was capped at 500,000, with approximately 50,000 having been minted as of August 2015.
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| 2015 $100 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin |
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Angle Showing Depth |
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The 2015 American Liberty high Relief Gold Coin only the second modern coin produced by the U.S. Mint in high relief (after the 2009 Ultra High Relief AmericanGold Eagle). The obverse contains a modern depiction of Liberty, while the reverse depicts an American eagle rising in flight, gripping a branch in its talons. Containing one troy ounce of .9999 fine 24–karat gold, this is the first U.S. Coin to bear a denomination of $100.
Only 50,000 of these special coins were minted, and they sold out within hours of the first day they were offered for sale.
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| 2016 Mercury Dime Centennial 1/10 Ounce Gold Coin |
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This unique gold dime was created to mark the centenary anniversary of three classic numismatic icons including the Mercury Dime, the Standing Liberty Quarter and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, all originally released in silver in 1916. The Mercury dime got its nickname because of Liberty’s resemblance to the Roman god Mercury, although it is actually known as a Winged Liberty Dime. Each dime contains one–tenth troy ounce of 24–karat gold, symbolic of the coin’s denomination of one dime, and is struck with a business strike finish. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a winged cap, with the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “2016” and the artist’s initials, “AW.” The reverse includes a Roman fasces and an olive branch, symbolizing America’s military readiness and desire for peace. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “AU 24K,” “1/10 oz.,” and “ONE DIME.”
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 150,000 units, and the entire output sold out in the first 22 minutes.
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| 2016 Standing Liberty Quarter Centennial 1/4 Ounce Gold Coin |
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This unique gold quarter dollar was created to mark the centenary anniversary of three classic numismatic icons including the Mercury Dime, the Standing Liberty Quarter and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, all originally released in silver in 1916. This gold 2016 centennial anniversary release celebrates Hermon A. MacNeil’s original “Standing Liberty” quarter design. Each quarter contains one–quarter troy ounce of 24–karat gold, symbolic of the coin’s denomination, and is struck with a business strike finish. The obverse features Liberty holding a shield and olive branch as she steps through an opening in a wall bearing 13 stars. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “AU 24K,” “1/4 oz.,” and “2016.” The reverse depicts and eagle in flight flanked by 13 stars. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR."
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 100,000 units.
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| 2016 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Centennial 1/2 Ounce Gold Coin |
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This unique half dollar was created to mark the centenary anniversary of three classic numismatic icons including the Mercury Dime, the Standing Liberty Quarter and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, all originally released in silver in 1916. This gold 2016 centennial anniversary release celebrates Adolph A. Weinman’s original “Walking Liberty” half dollar design. Each half dollar contains one–half troy ounce of 24–karat gold, symbolic of the coin’s denomination, and is struck with a business strike finish. The obverse features a full–length figure of Liberty in full stride, enveloped in folds of the flag, with her right hand extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2016.” The reverse depicts an American eagle rising from a mountaintop perch. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “AU,” “24K,” “1/2 OZ.,” and “HALF DOLLAR.
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 70,000 units.
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| 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service 2016 Three-Coin Proof Set |
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This set was created to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. It includes a 1 ounce 90% silver proof dollar, a 1/4 ounce $5 gold coin and a clad half dollar.
The obverse of the silver dollar features Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful geyser and a bison. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “1916” and “2016.” The reverse depicts a Latina Folklórico dancer and the National Park Service logo, representing the multi–faceted cultural experience found in America’s national parks. Inscriptions are “’UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “$1,” “HERITAGE,” “CULTURE” and “PRIDE."
The obverse of the $5 gold coin features John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt with Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome in the background. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2016” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The reverses features the National Park Service logo. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “$5.”
The obverse of the half dollar features a hiker discovering the majesty of the wilderness and a small child discovering a frog hiding in ferns, celebrating the diversity and breadth of the National Park Service. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “2016,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “1916” and “NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.” The reverse features the National Park Service logo. Inscriptions are “’UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “HALF DOLLAR,” “STEWARDSHIP” and “RECREATION.”
The entire set had a limited mintage of only 15,000.
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2016 $50 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin
The American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins. The American Buffalo Gold Coins were the first 24–karat gold proof coins ever struck by the U.S. Mint and feature James Earle Fraser’s original Indian head and buffalo designs first used on the Indian Head Nickel.
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| 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin |
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2017 was the 225th anniversary of the United States Mint and to mark the occasion (such as it was), the mint produced a special American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin featuring a modern rendition of Lady Liberty. The coin is minted in 99.99% 24–karat gold, in high–relief, with raised edge lettering, and with a proof finish.
The obverse features a profile of Liberty wearing a crown of stars. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “1792,” “2017,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse depicts a bold and powerful eagle in flight, with eyes toward opportunity and a determination to attain it. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1 OZ.,” “.9999 FINE GOLD,” and “100 DOLLARS.”
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 100,000 units.
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| 2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins |
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| Uncirculated Silver Dollar |
Proof Half Dollar (Clad) |
$5 Uncirculated Gold Coin |
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2019 was the 50th anniversary of the first successful manned mission to the Moon by the crew of the Applo 11 and to mark the occasion, the mint produced a variety of special curved coins including the uncirculated silver $1 coin, the proof clad $0.50 coin and the uncirculated gold $5 coin shown above. In addition, the mint produced a proof silver $1 coin, an uncirculated clad $0.50 coin, a proof gold $5 coin and proof five ounce silver coin, none of which I own.
The obverse features the inscriptions "MERCURY," "GEMINI" and "APOLLO," separated by the phases of the Moon, and a footprint on the lunar surface. Also inscrbed is "2019," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "LIBERTY."
The reverse features a representation of the famous "Buzz Aldrin on the Moon" photograph taken by Neil Armstrong on July 20,1969, along with the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the denomination of the particular coin.
Production for these coins was capped at 400,000 for the silver dollar, 750,000 for the clad proof half dollar and only 50,000 for the $5 gold coin.
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2021 American Eagle One Ounce Silver Reverse Proof Two-Coin Set Designer Edition
The 2021 American Eagle One Ounce Silver Reverse Proof Two-Coin Set Designer Edition contains one original and one newly re-designed American Eagle One Ounce Silver Coin with stunning reverse proof finishes. A total of 125,000 of these special sets were minted for collectors only.
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2021 Peace and Morgan Dollars
In 2021, to commemorate the 100th anniversay of the final year of the Morgan Dollar and the first year of the Peace Dollar, the U.S. Mint issued a limited number of Morgan and Peace dollars with 2021 dates. The Peace dollar was minted in high relief, just like the 1921 Peace Dollar (and not any of the following years) and five different Morgan Dollars were issued -- one at the Philadelphia Mint with no mint mark, one at the San Francisco Mint with an "S" mint mark, one at the Denver Mint with a "D" mint mark, one with a "CC" privy mark to commemorate the no longer existent Carson City Mint and one with an "O" privy mark to commemorate the no longer existent New Orleans Mint.
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2021 $50 American Gold Eagle (Proof)
In 2021 the U.S. Mint decided to redesign the reverse of it's iconic American Gold Eagle for the first time since it was first introduced in 1986. Instead of the previous design featuring a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings, the new design features a close-up of just the eagle's head. In addition, the details of the obverse have been enhanced based on the original bronze cast of St. Gaudens original design.
For this initial release of the new proof American Gold Eagle, only 15,875 coins were minted in total (with only 5,625 being sold individually as opposed to as part of a set).
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2023 Peace and Morgan Dollars
For 2023, in addition to the "standard" uncirculated Morgan and Peace dollars, similar to those produced in 2021, the Mint decided to release special versions of each for the first time. These included proof versions and reverse proof versions.
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| Morgan Dollar |
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| Peace Dollar |
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| Proof Morgan Dollar |
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| Proof Peace Dollar |
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| Reverse Proof Morgan Dollar |
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| Reverse Proof Peace Dollar |
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| 2023 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin |
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The United States Mint American Liberty Gold Coin Program celebrates modern interpretations of the concept of American liberty, exploring the theme beyond the classical tradition of portraits of allegorical “Liberty.” The 2023 American Liberty Gold Proof Coin, once again, offers a different interpretation—a bold representation of the perseverance of American liberty
The obverse design depicts a bristlecone pine, a species native to California, Nevada, and Utah, that live up to 5,000 years and are thought to be the oldest living organisms on Earth, living up to 5,000 years. Bristlecone pines grow in places where other plants cannot and are often the species first to repopulate the land after cataclysmic changes, such as a lava run or glacial runoff. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2023.
The reverse depicts a young bald eagle standing on a rocky outcropping moments before it takes flight. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," “1 OZ.," ".9999 FINE GOLD," "$100," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 12,500 units.
This design was also made available as a non-monetary silver "medal":
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2024 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair Silver Medal
On October 15, 2024, the U.S. Mint released a special non-monetary silver medal to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the very first dollar coin issued by the U.S. Federal Government on October 15, 1794. A total of 50,000 of these medals were minted, with 1794 of them bearing a special"230" "privy mark (sadly, the one example I purchased did not have it).
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| 2024 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coin |
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On November 14, 2024, the U.S. Mint released a new one ounce "high relief" gold proof coin to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the 1794 Flowing Hair design, the first dollar coin struck by the United States Mint. The 24-karat gold coin features modern reproductions of Robert Scot’s original designs on the obverse and reverse.
Production for this coin was capped at a total mintage of 10,000 units.
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2024 Peace and Morgan Dollars
For 2024, the Mint decided to once again release special proof and reverse proof versions of both the Morgan and the Peace Dollar.
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| Proof Morgan Dollar |
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| Proof Peace Dollar |
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| Reverse Proof Morgan Dollar |
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| Reverse Proof Peace Dollar |
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