Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Sales Figures

The 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar Commemorative has now been on sale for more than two months. Initial sales of the coin were strong, but have leveled off since the pre-issue discount period ended.

From the launch on March 26, 2009 through April 27, 2009, the coins were priced at $31.95 and $37.95 for uncirculated and proof coins. Prices were subsequently raised to $33.95 and $41.95. During the pre-issue discount period, an ordering limit of 50 per option per household was in place. This ordering limit has now been removed.

The table below displays the latest sales figures from Numismaster.

2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Sales
Proof	107,525
Uncricualted	41,795
Uncirculated (Easy Open Capsule)	19,244
Total	168,564

When the coins first went on sale, at least a few people suggested the possibility of a sell out. The Louis Braille Commemorative has a maximum authorized mintage of 400,000 coins compared to a higher maximum of 500,000 for the sold out Abraham Lincoln Commemorative. The Louis Braille coins have also generated much more media attention than the Lincoln Commemorative. The Lincoln related media coverage has mostly been centered almost exclusively on the newly designed 2009 Lincoln Cents.

Despite these possible catalysts, interest has leveled off with fewer than 3,000 coins sold in the prior week. A sell out for the coins now seems unlikely. Commemorative coins generally remain available for sale until mid-December of each year or until the maximum authorized mintage is sold.

There is one event on the horizon that might spark some renewed collector interest in the Braille Commemorative. The US Mint previously announced that a special set including the Louis Braille Commemorative would be released later in the year. This set will be limited to 25,000 and contain the uncirculated version of the coin. Further details on the offering are still yet to be announced.

The special Braille set may be something to watch for. A recent trend has been for US Mint products with limited production runs to sell out quickly and then appreciate in price.