Abe Lincoln's Birthday Celebration In Kentucky

Heh heh, since you are from Kentucky, you are going to love this story-

I live in St. Louis which is about 90 miles from Springfield, IL. My wife and I are going to Springfield and staying Wed night so we are there for the Thursday events. I searched for any news articles concerning a coin release ceremony- the only thing I could find was a special cancellation of four new Lincoln stamps by the USPS at the Old State Capitol. I then called the US Mint Office of Public Affairs and I had the pleasure of talking to a very nice lady in DC. She told me that nothing is planned for Springfield. However, the first 2009 Lincoln cent(and possibly the Lincoln commem as well, she was not quite sure on that one) will have a release ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville, KY- about 50 or so miles from you

Of course, if you go,

Luckily for me, I would bet that the third cent will be issued in Springfield since that one represents him as an Illinois state legislator so I will have a chance to go to that ceremony later this year

Sure wish I was healtheir. I'd go to all those. Might really be something to photograph. Wonder if there will be free samples of the coins passed out.

I called the visitor center at the park earlier today with a few questions. This is what she told me:

1) The U S Mint will have a special ceremony to introduce the new cent.
2) A "penny exchange" will take place where you can trade your old cents for the new ones.
3) Rolls will be available.
4) Both mint marks will be available.
5) Special issue stamps will be available at the local Post Office.
6) The Silver Dollar will not be available.

Looks like my penny dump bank will get a reprieve next week. I'll take all my 1983 to 2007 culls to the "penny exchange" instead.