What's The Story On 2009 Cents?

It's a case of low mintage -> hoarding -> artificial rarity -> inflated prices -> they will never circulate freely.

Despite a total mintage of over 2 billion, the public announcement that 2009 production figures would be low, plus the novelty of the first new design since 1959 led to huge demand for these coins. Since they arrived at their various channels by the box (which could be snatched up for a mere $25 each) very few ever made it to circulation. The heyday was mid-2009 when ebay was flooded with boxes going for $350+ each, often with dozens of bids. Most people who own boxes refuse to acknowledge that they are no longer worth $350, let alone $30-50 which is closer to the fair market price.

And yes, the coins (especially LP-2) are a hotbed for doubled dies. Coppercoins.com lists over 100 for that year, 80+ of which are LP2.

As for their rarity in circulation, I'll admit that I've done my part in contributing to the problem:

I went through my sets as I'm selling a lot of my US Mint stuff at the moment (click the link just above my post if you're interest - no reserve auctions) and noticed that the Proof Bicentennial Pennies have toned quite a bit.

Does anyone know why that is? Did they have a different composition, or were they minted differently. No other penny has toned that bad/well, incl. those minted in 1999 (earliest I have).

^
No, the sets were kept unopened. Esp. the one that came in the annual proof set is very dark now:

Correct, and the cents in the proof set are also bronze.

The tarnishing problem was noted by the mint back in 2009. if I remember correctly the sets came out later than normal that year because they were having a problem with the cents discoloring. (It had been 27 years since the mint had made brass proof cents and 47 years since they made bronze proof cents. Knowledge had been lost over the years and many of the chemicals used for the cleaning/burnishing treatments for the planchets back then were no longer available.

All the mint set pennies have toned to a certain extent. I continue to pick this set up when deals are available.I probably have 25 sets of the mint set pennies alone. These will be worth a nice return for future generations. That is you don't mind investing for relatives 100+yrs from now.

I am, even though I will never see a return, I hope I can help future generations. I so wish my family would have thought the way I do.

I just checked my proof and mint sets. The Lincolns in both mint sets show no toning. Some of the Lincolns in both clad proof sets and in one of two silver proof sets show toning. Interestingly, the mint set came with a note indicating that the Lincolns would tone faster than normal. BTW, I ordered all these sets in January 2010.

Once again just to make sure I have it straight. There are actually 17 different Lincolns for 2009?

Four P Zincolns
Four D Zincolns
Four P Bronze
Four D Bronze
Four S Proofs

Miss any ?