Say hello to the new 2010 Lincoln cent reverse, released by the Mint on February 11, 2010.

Gone is the Lincoln memorial which donned the reverse from 1959–2008, gone are the bicentennial commemorative reverses of 2009, this is it.

From the Mint:

The design depicts a union shield with a scroll draped across and the inscription ONE CENT.  The 13 vertical stripes of the shield represent the states joined in one compact union to support the federal government, represented by the horizontal bar above.  The horizontal bar features the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM — “out of many, one” — while the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is depicted along the upper rim of the coin.

In the spring, the United States Mint will offer 2010 Union Shield Cent two roll sets. — one roll from the Philadelphia Mint and one roll from the Denver Mint. The 2010-S Proof Union Shield Cent will be included in the 2010 Proof Set and 2010 Silver Proof Set. Satin finish 2010-P and 2010-D Union Shield Cents will be included in the 2010 Uncirculated Mint Set.

Some complain about the design, but few accept change initially. As for me, I’m a fan. I think that the design is modern and the large elements work especially well on a small coin like the one cent piece.

Specifications

Date: 2010
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco (proof only)
Designers: Victor David Brenner (obverse), Lyndall Bass (reverse)
Composition: 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper
Weight: 2.50 grams
Diameter: 19 mm

What do you think about the new design?

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).

“We are responding to the collector community which has spoken loudly and clearly,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  “Customers have told us there are just too many products.  We agree, and it’s time the United States Mint trims down and concentrates on the products our customers love most.”

The Mint adds that the “Last Chance Sale” will be a limited-time, first come, first serve offer, available online and by phone and without household order limits in place. Sales will include discontinued products that will “never be available again from the United States Mint.”

The sale will begin Saturday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m. (ET) and end at 5 p.m. on December 19. Phone orders may be placed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight via 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

A complete list of the discontinued and last chance Mint products is after the jump…

Discontinued Products

United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Sets™
United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin — Individual Proof Coins™
American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins (all options)
American Eagle Platinum Proof 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
American Eagle Gold Uncirculated 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
American Buffalo Uncirculated Gold Coins (all options)
American Buffalo Proof 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and Four-Coin Sets
50 State Quarters® First Day Coin Covers (continue through 2008)
Greetings From America Portfolios and Card Sets
Coin and Die Sets
Collectible Spoons

Last Chance Product Listing

Annual Sets
2007 United States Mint Proof Set®
2007 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Proof Set™
2004 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set(R)
2006 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set®
2007 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set®
2007 United States Mint Silver Proof Set™
2007 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set™

50 State Quarters® Bags & Rolls
Wisconsin Two-Roll Set
Minnesota Two-Roll Set
Minnesota 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Minnesota 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Oregon 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Colorado 100-Coin Bag (P)
Nebraska 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Nebraska 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Nebraska 100-Coin Bag (D)
Colorado 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Colorado 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
North Dakota 100-Coin Bag (D)
North Dakota 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
South Dakota 100-Coin Bag (D)
Montana 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Wyoming 100-Coin Bag (P)
Wyoming 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Wyoming 100-Coin Bag (D)
Wyoming 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Utah Two-Roll Set
Utah 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Utah 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Oklahoma Two-Roll Set
Oklahoma 100-Coin Bag (P)
Oklahoma 100-Coin Bag (D)
Oklahoma 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Oklahoma 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
New Mexico Two-Roll Set
New Mexico 100-Coin Bag (P)
New Mexico 100-Coin Bag (D)
New Mexico 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
New Mexico 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
Arizona Two-Roll Set
Arizona 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
Arizona 100-Coin Bag (D)
Arizona 100-Coin Bag (P)
Arizona 1,000-Coin Bag (D)

Other Bags & Rolls
2001 Sacagawea Golden Dollar Roll (P)
2001 Kennedy Half-Dollar 200-Coin Bag
2001 Kennedy Half-Dollar Two-Roll Set
2002 Sacagawea Golden Dollar 2000-Coin Bag (P)
2002 Sacagawea Golden Dollar 2000-Coin Bag (D)
2003 Jefferson Nickel Two-Roll Set
2004 Sacagawea Golden Dollar 2000-Coin Bag (D)
2005 Ocean in View Nickel 1,000-Coin Bag (P)
2005 Ocean in View Nickel 1,000-Coin Bag (D)
2005 Sacagawea Golden Dollar 2000-Coin Bag (P)

50 State Quarters® First Day Coin Covers
New Jersey
Georgia
Connecticut
South Carolina
New Hampshire
Virginia
New York
North Carolina
Rhode Island
Vermont
Kentucky
Tennessee
Ohio
Louisiana
Indiana
Mississippi
Illinois
Alabama
Maine
Missouri
Arkansas
Michigan
Florida
Texas
Iowa
Wisconsin
California
Minnesota
Oregon
Kansas
West Virginia
Nevada
Nebraska
Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
Montana
Washington
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah

Presidential $1 Coin Coin Covers
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison

50 State Quarters® Coin & Die Sets
North Carolina (P)
Rhode Island
Tennessee (D)
Maine (D)
Iowa (P)
Oregon (P)
Nebraska (D)
Nebraska (P)
Colorado (P)
North Dakota (D)
North Dakota (P)
South Dakota (D)
South Dakota (P)
Montana (D)
Montana (P)
Washington (P)
Idaho (D)
Idaho (P)
Wyoming (P)
Wyoming (D)
Utah (D)

50 State Quarters® Collector’s Spoons
Iowa
West Virginia
Nevada
Nebraska
Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
Montana
Washington
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Arizona

50 State Quarters® Greetings from America Series
1999 Card Set
1999 Portfolio
2000 Card Set
2000 Portfolio
2001 Card Set
2001 Portfolio
2002 Card Set
2002 Portfolio
2003 Card Set
2003 Portfolio
2004 Card Set
2004 Portfolio
2005 Card Set
2005 Portfolio
2006 Card Set
2006 Portfolio
2007 Card Set
2007 Portfolio
Card Set Album
Portfolio Album

Westward Journey Nickel Sets
2004 Westward Journey Nickel Series™ Coin Set
2006 Westward Journey Nickel Series™ Coin Set

Special Sets
50 State Quarters® And Euro Coin Collection
Official Coin Collecting Starter Kit

The Mint said it used sales figures to help determine which products to cut, and the reductions will help them focus on core offerings.

Trimming the 2009 portfolio will afford the United States Mint the opportunity to focus resources on its core products.  It will spotlight offerings with broad appeal, such as its annual United States Mint Proof Sets.

With fewer products to manufacture, the United States Mint will be able to offer proof sets and other products earlier in the calendar year beginning in 2010, making them available for customers to purchase for more occasions.

According to the Mint, sales of products will increase previously stated “final” sales figures, but no individual maximum mintage/product limits will be exceeded.

Tip: CoinNews.net

This triangle-shaped silver half dollar proof features the Mint’s patented color enamel technology

In 2005 the Royal Canadian Mint introduced their enamel-effect technology on the red-enameled Canada Flag Silver Dollar. This coin sold out instantly at the mint (as have all subsequent enameled issues) and now trades for several multiples of its release price, having proven to be a great investment.

Technology Note
The Milk Delivery Dairy Token Half Dollar Silver Proof features the Royal Canadian Mint’s patented enamel effect technology. This proprietary technique applies deep, rich, semi-opaque colors to the coin, while the glaze over these hues creates the effect of real enamel. The green on this triangular coin replicates the color found on many of the original dairy tokens!

There was a time when most people did not go to the grocery store to purchase their milk… in the good old days the dairy delivered straight to one’s door Many adults today have childhood memories of a uniformed milkman placing bottles of fresh milk and other dairy products on the front porch and collecting the empty bottles their mother had put out for exchange.
But there was something else the milkman collected – dairy tokens. From the late 19th century to the 1960′s, customers could buy dairy tokens to “pay” for the milk or cream that was delivered.

Milk delivery tokens were used in nearly every state of the Union and all ten Canadian provinces. Many dairies had their own custom tokens, while others used generic ones. These tokens were valued at such quantities as ½ or 1 pint; 1, 2 or 3 quarts; or ½ or 1 gallon. In addition, they specified whether the token was for cream or milk, and for what kind.

Source: Talisman Coins