The United States Mint today started accepting orders from its network of Authorized Purchasers for the first two installments of the 2011 America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins. The coin program debuted last year with five silver bullion coins all released on December 10.
The United States Mint plans to offer this year’s five coins in intervals throughout the year with only the 2011 Gettysburg National Military Park Silver Bullion Coin and the 2011 Glacier National Park Silver Bullion Coin released at this time.
These two coins may currently be ordered by the Mint’s network of Authorized Purchasers (APs) who have been given the responsibility of selling the national park silver bullion coins to the public. The United States Mint uses this network for all of its bullion products as what is seen as the most efficient method of offering them at as close to market prices as possible.
The APs participating in the 2011 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion program will be sold a portion of the Mint’s initial mintage of 126,500 of each of the first two 2011 strikes. The United States Mint has indicated that it may produce more of the coins based on demand.
Shown on the reverse of the Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coin is the same design as the Gettysburg quarter — a depiction of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument found within the boundaries of Gettysburg National Military Park of Pennsylvania. The design was completed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The reverse of the Glacier Silver Bullion Coin is emblematic of Glacier National Park of Montana and shows a mountain goat clamoring over the rugged terrain of the park with Mount Reynolds off in the distance. This design was completed by AIP Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers. Again, this is the same design as depicted on the Glacier quarter.
The silver bullion coins are struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver to a diameter of three inches for investors. As a bullion product of the United States Mint, the coin’s weight and purity is guaranteed by the United States government making it an ideal investment option.
The Mint also plans to offer 2011 America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Uncirculated Coins for sale directly to the public. These strikes will feature the same designs as found on the bullion coins, but are produced for collectors and will be sold directly to the public by the Mint. The first Hot Springs silver coin will be available Thursday.
Why will no one even hazard a guess as to the cost of either the Gettsburg or Glacier 5 ounce rounds ? thats all I want to know, I am able to make my own informed consent and decision.