Us Coin News
US Mint Coin Sales Continue Upward Trend
The US Mint has reinstated its inadvertently instated wait list on the Yosemite National Park Silver Uncirculated coin. BuySiver.org highlighted last week that the US Mint had mistakenly placed the coin on the wait list, and how it had taken two weeks to spot this error. However, in the last seven days, 1,402 have been sold, leaving just 260 remaining of the 27,000 limit.
Any prospective buyer must now apply to purchase the coin, and hope that a cancelled order allows his request to be filled. Such orders will be applied on a first come first served basis.
Another coin seen in demand is the Grand Canyon coin, which continued to near its sold out amount. Figures revealed that a further 1,192 have been bought. This leaves just 4,794.
The hottest seller, though, is the popular 2011 Proof American Silver Eagle. The week before last, sales hit a fantastic 40,368. Last week’s sales were even better at 52,050. Total sales now stand at 460,041.
And it wasn’t just collectors who have been in on the buying action. Authorised Purchasers snapped up 856,000 bullion Silver Eagles, up from 727,500 in the previous round. That means that July’s total now stands a shade under 2 million at 1,969,500. Annual sales are now at 2,273,000.
NGC Recognises The Grand Canyon 5oz Silver Coin Variety
On the 19 July 2011, The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) announced that it had discovered the first variety in the America the Beautiful five ounce silver coin series. Designated ‘Light Finish’ by the NGC, the variety is so far only seen in the 2010-P Grand Canyon Specimen issues.
Two surface finishes of this issue have been observed: coins with a regular mat finish, and those that have a reflective satin finish. The satin finish, designated ‘Light Finish’ by the NGC, is distinct from the bullion version and the standard collector version. The hybrid is easily identified: it has the same ‘P’ mintmark as the other specimen issues, but has a more lustrous and un-granulated surface. They don’t have the fully brilliant surface of the bullion issue, either.
The collector version of the America the Beautiful coins are vapour blasted to create the mat finish, in stark contrast to the brilliant finish of the bullion issues.
It is not known how many of the 27,000 Grand Canyon Specimens struck by the Mint are the Light Finish variety, though it is believed that most are of standard finish.
The NGC, founded in 1987, is the world’s most respected third party coin grading service. Its impartial services are provided by grading experts who are not active in the commercial coin market, and it prohibits these experts from buying and selling coins commercially.
US Mint Raises Product Prices
The US Mint has responded to soaring metals prices and prolific demand by raising prices on its platinum and gold coins. For example, the Proof American Platinum Eagle is now $2,092, an increase of $100, and the American ½ oz Gold Eagle has seen its price inflated by $25 to $931. For a full list of all coins affected by the price rises, visit the US Mint website at www.usmint.com.
