New details have emerged for the 2014 National Park Five Ounce Silver Coins. The United States Mint this week offered release dates for the collectible versions and a date for the first bullion version.
Officially, the bullion versions have been entitled by the U.S. Mint as "America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins" while the collectible versions are dubbed "America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins." The latter are intended for coin collectors and the former for investors, though collectors get them as well for their collections. The collectible versions are sold directly by the U.S. Mint to the public while the bullion versions are sold through the Mint’s network of coin and precious metals dealers.
These coins bear identical designs to the National Park Quarters for 2014, down to their "QUARTER DOLLAR" inscription on the obverse or heads side, though these big coins are worth much more than a quarter as each has five ounce of 99.9% pure silver.
Struck to a large diameter of three inches, the collectible 2014 National Park silver coins and their release dates include:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (TN) on April 7, 2014
- Shenandoah National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (VA) on May 15, 2014
- Arches National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (UT) on June 12, 2014
- Great Sand Dunes National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (CO) in August 2014
- Everglades National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (FL) in November 2014
Prices for these coins are $154.95 each. The price could potentially change if silver prices move substantially. Pricing is attractive in the sense that their premiums are about one-third of other Mint collectible silver coins, like the 2013 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin that has one ounce of 99.9% pure silver and is $52.95.
When released, these coins may be purchased online at www.usmint.gov.catalog.
On Monday, March 17, the U.S. Mint will begin selling the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coin. Dealers have it currently listed for about $130.
Release dates for the four other bullion coins are not published, though they should occur on or very close to the release times of the companion 2014 National Park Quarters.