So I checked the mail Friday, and to my surprise there was a box from the Mint! I was not expecting anything so soon, as my order still showed as “processing” as late as Wednesday and was listed as shipping 10/31/09 when I ordered on the 14th. It was a great surprise! I took some pictures of the unboxing, check them out after the jump!

First impression is slightly underwhelming, with a plain white box inside the cardboard shipping box the first thing you see:

The actual set packaging slides out of the white protective box, revealing an attractive “leather-like” outer case with gold-color inlay:

My first thought was that this was the actual case, and I was momentarily surprised it wouldn’t open. I quickly realized this was just an outer jacket, with the actual set inside:

Taking out and opening the set reveals the coins on the right and portrait of Honest Abe on the left, along with a facsimile signature in gold, and a Certificate of Authenticity. The silver dollar, in particular, is very striking looking:

The left side opens further to reveal a copy of the Gettysburg Address, in Lincoln’s handwriting:

Overall, a very cool presentation that is definitely a step above your basic Mint proof set!