PHILADELPHIA – United States Mint Director Edmund C. Moy was on hand at the Philadelphia Mint for a ribbon cutting to commemorate the public release of the 2009 Ultra High Relief (UHR) Double Eagle gold coin. About 40 people were in attendance including several members of the Mint’s executive staff from Washington.
Director Moy opened the exhibit to the public which consisted of three display cases similar to those seen in the Mint booth at the ANA show in Baltimore this July. The first two display cases contained test UHR strikes at various tonnages, two plaster sculptures of the obverse and reverse of the UHR design:
The third case contained 11 actual, production 2009 Ultra High Relief Gold Double Eagle coins that were among the first to come off the presses.
Director Moy noted that about 29,000 of the coins were ready and that 43,000 had been ordered in the first 8 days.
As a special surprise, Director Moy invited Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti to the podium and announced his new job title of Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. He was greeted by a warm round of applause.
Philly-born John Mercanti is head of engraving at the Mint. Apprenticed here in 1974. As a sculptor-engraver. “I’m actually the last engraver on staff that did steel carving.” Gravers, wood handled tools with hard steel blades are used to cut into hard steel, he explains, showing a rack of about 28 antique tools. Gold, silver carving, too. Bald Eagle print on the wall behind him. (Philly.com)
Director Moy then cut the ribbon.
One of the highlights was that attendees were able to pick up and handle two live UHR coins while under the watchful eye of two Mint Police officers.
It was very exciting to be able to pick up and handle the coin, albeit with cotton gloves on, because I know that I’ll never touch my coin when I get it. 
I posted a 15 minute video of Director Moy’s remarks at today’s UHR ceremony at the Philadelphia Mint. It’s available at the following YouTube links (Part 1, Part 2) and is embedded below.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Update: I’ve added photo galleries from the ceremony (29 images) and the tour (33 images).