Bucket of Coins

Well I made it down to the release on May 14th. It was a complete contrast to what they Hodgenville Lincoln Birthplace release was. Rather than having most of the 500 hundred or so people attend the actual ceremony prior to the cent exchange the majority of the 4000+ at the Lincoln City unveiling got in line for the coin exchange.

Hodgenville, KY 2009 Lincoln Birthplace Log Cabin penny release ceremony photo:

Estimated about 500 people were there...

Compared to the Lincoln Formative Years Rail Splitter penny ceremony:

Really light attendance since everyone was in line!

I got there a little later than most and ended up having to park about a mile away near the campgrounds. I was lucky enough to jump on a shuttle to the “end of the line”. I took photos of the line, keep in mind not one person was photographed more than once in these photos and they run from the tent of the distribution to where I was standing.

Tent of the Cent Distribution

Line looking back from the concession area by Ampitheater

Line going down to the parking lot from the top of the hill

Looking back up the hill at the Cent Tent from Parking lot

Bottom of Hill on sidewalk around parking lot

Parking lot line going around the bend

Coming out of the parking lot area towards the entrance road

Looking back to the end of the line...keep in mind the ceremony was still going on!

It was rumored about $10,000 worth of cents were brought to the event. Though when I asked the Brinks guys they said “We aren’t allowed to say”. Like who cares, I am sure Coin World will have the actual amount?!? I got a few photos before the Penny Exchange started in the tent and in the Brinks truck along with one with the last 36 boxes prior to being moved to the tent.

Getting ready for the 2009 Lincoln Formative Years exchange

What was left after placing the first batch on the tables seen above

The last 36 boxes prior to being moved to the Tent

Myself and the crew with me managed to get through the line twice. We were sixth in line when they ran out! Ugh, I was next in line when they ran out in Hodgenville. Oh well just my luck. But we did have a nice haul. We combined our 2009 Lincoln Formative Years Rail Splitter cents and had just under two boxes.

First box, almost full

The full box of 2009 Lincoln formative year cents

I was stuck in traffic for some time and decided to go get some food while the line at the Post Office died down so I could get these penny rolls stamped and canceled as proof that they came from the event and not from Washington DC or when they hit the banks. When I arrived back at the Lincoln Boyhood home National Park the line was still long. I waited 3 hours to get them stamped and canceled. After that I made my 1.5 hour drive home and man was I exhausted!

Yes that line represents 3 hours of my life...I was 5th from the last.

View of the Post Office Cancellation area from inside the Museum

After getting home, I started looking at the rolls a little more closely. Truthfully I have to say some of these are the most beat up looking coins I have ever seen to be BRAND NEW!. There are some that are pathetic. No wonder MS66 is about the highest grade anyone has gotten. In this batch of P’s, someone would be very lucky to get an MS66 in my opinion. It’s almost embarrassing that the US Mint let the quality control of these 3 month type coins be so shoddy. All in all it was a great experience, I guess I need to gear up for Springfield, IL since it is going to probably be more crazy.

After checking on some websites, it appears that the US Mint’s idea of making the LP2 two roll 2009 Lincoln formative years Rail Splitter sets available through their site at the same time, it has kept the secondary market prices down a lot further than the 2009 Lincoln Birthplace pennies. But even so, it may be a few years before we see any of these cents out in banks. Only time will tell.