From Charles Morgan And Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The 2010-S Abraham Lincoln Presidential Dollar Proof was hit on San Francisco Mint and sold directly to collectors at a premium to the face value of 1 dollar. The corresponding circulation version was Philadelphia And Denver Mints far exceed demand.
The Presidential Dollar Coin The series, which was in its fourth year at the time of the Lincoln dollar minting, was issued by the Presidential Dollar Coin Act (Public Law 109-145), which came into force on December 22, 2005. The author of the law, representative Michael Burg (R-DE), imagined a series that would build on the success of the 50 State Quarters Program and do for the little golden dollar what the Sacagawea Dollar not: to stimulate the imagination of the public and to ensure the free circulation of the dollar coin.
One problem with Castle’s thinking is that there is no preferred alternative to the quarter, as there is for the dollar. Moreover, people may have a general interest in the various unique aspects of the 50 states, but most Americans know little about most of the nation’s presidents, and some have left legacies unworthy of 21st-century celebration. After an initial release of well-known presidents in 2007, a series of lesser-known figures followed. The 2010 selection focused on some of the least worthy presidents in American history, saved only by the inclusion of the 16th president. Abraham Lincoln.
Choosing the design
The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee (CCAC) were not unanimous in their design recommendation for the Lincoln Presidential Dollar. The CCAC decided in a split vote on a design based on a photograph of Alexander Gardner on February 5, 1865. Gardner captured Lincoln in five poses. This would be the last official portrait sitting of the President; Lincoln was assassinated five weeks later.
CCAC Chairman Mitch Sanders was a strong supporter of the Gardner photograph, calling it “one of the greatest works of American art.” CCAC member Gary Marksa sculptor, agreed, saying that the photo of Gardner shows “what the war did to him.” Members Donald Scarinci And Richard Meier preferred the frontal portrait favored by the CFA.
When selecting designs for United States Coins, the Secretary of the Treasury is the ultimate decision-maker. Over the past few decades, the Secretary has often worked with the CFA, CCAC, and other stakeholders to achieve the best possible design—but he is not obligated to give in to the wishes of others. In the case of the 2010 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Dollar, the Secretary of the Treasury was Timothy Geithner agreed with the CFA and selected the frontal Lincoln portrait submitted by Mint Engraver Don Everhart.
How the 2010-S Lincoln Presidential Dollar Proof was sold
The United States Mint offered collectors the opportunity to purchase the 2010-S Lincoln Presidential Dollar Proof coin in three sets: Proof set of the US Mint’s $1 presidential coin; The 2010 United States Mint Clad Proof Set; and the US Mint 2010 Silver Proof Set.
The Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set was the cheapest option and was the first to hit the market. Released on February 11, the set included the four 2010 proof presidential dollars. The Clad Proof Set was released on July 22 and the Silver Proof Set on August 26.
How much is the 2010-S Lincoln Presidential Dollar Proof worth?
When purchasing the 2010-S Lincoln Presidential Dollar, collectors have four options:
- Collectors can purchase the coin individually, in which case the dollar coin would have been removed from a proof set and placed in an individual holder. Recent sales of 2010-S Lincoln Presidential Dollar Proofs have ranged from $5 to $8.
- Collectors can purchase the coin as part of one of the Mint’s 2010 Proof Set offerings. The most affordable offering is the 2010 Presidential Dollar Proof Set, which includes one example of all four Presidential Dollars issued in 2010 and retails for $10 ($2.50 per coin).
- Collectors can purchase a certified specimen with the grade Proof 69 from CAC, NGCor PCGS. Proof 69s are easy to get and cost between $10 and $15.
- Collectors can purchase a certified specimen that is graded Proof 70 by CAC, NGC or PCGS. Current sales data for these coins is listed in the section below.
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Market data and notable specimens
Largest population: PCGS PR70DCAM (945, 8/2024), NGC PF70UCAM (2,784, 8/2024) and CAC N/A (0:0 with sticker: graded, 8/2024).
- PCGSPR70DCAM: eBay, August 13, 2024 – $65.59. New supplement to the Presidential Series.
- PCGSPR70DCAM: eBay, August 11, 2024 – $63. New supplement to the Presidential Series.
- NGC PF70UCAM #1216070-012: eBay, August 7, 2024 – $104.95. Lincoln news supplement.
- PCGSPR70DCAM: eBay, August 7, 2024 – $50. New supplement to the Presidential Series.
- PCGSPR70DCAM: eBay, August 5, 2024 – $66.01. New supplement to the Presidential Series.
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design
Front:
Frontal portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Don Everhart’s designer initials appear on Lincoln’s left lapel. ABRAHAM-LINCOLN wraps around the inside of the upper edge. The motto wraps around the inside of the lower edge in smaller font We trust in God and the inscription 16. PRESIDENT, 1861-1865.
Reverse:
Don Everhart’s back shows an ant’s perspective on the Statue of Liberty shifted to the left. On the coin, Freedom occupies the lower right quadrant of the coin, with her outstretched elbow forming the center of the coin. The design is framed by a thin inner circle that separates the graphic design from the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICAUnder the outstretched, torch-bearing arm of freedom is the denomination 1 dollar. This is the common reverse design of all presidential dollar coins.
Edge:
Date and mint mark as well as the motto E MULTIPLE ONEare engraved on the edge of the Lincoln Presidential Dollar.
Coin specifications
Country: | United States of America |
Year of issue: | 2010 |
Denomination: | One dollar (USD) |
Mintmark: | S (San Francisco) |
Edition: | 2,224,613 |
Alloy: | .770 copper, .120 zinc, 0.070 manganese, 0.040 nickel |
Weight: | 8.10g |
Diameter: | 26.55mm |
Edge: | Labeled |
OBV Designer: | Don Everhart |
REV Designer: | Don Everhart |
Quality: | Evidence |
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