2009-S Congressional Years Proof

The 2009-S Congressional Years Proof cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint as part of the 2009 proof set. Joel Iskowitz designed the reverse showing the U.S. Capitol with its early dome, and Don Everhart sculpted the design. The proof striking process reveals fine details that are invisible on circulation coins, including the texture of the Capitol's stonework and the architectural details of the dome. Each proof planchet was hand-fed into the press and struck twice to ensure a full, sharp impression.

San Francisco's proof production has been a collector tradition since the Mint began offering annual proof sets in 1936. The 2009 set was unusual because it contained four different cent designs rather than the usual single version. Collectors purchasing the 2009 proof set received one example of each bicentennial reverse, all bearing the "S" mintmark. The Congressional Years proof captures Lincoln's brief but meaningful time in Washington as a young congressman. Total production reached approximately 2.99 million sets, a number that reflects strong collector interest in the bicentennial program.