In 2010, the United States Mint will begin issuing America the Beautiful Silver Bullion coins to coincide with the new series of circulating commemorative quarter dollars. The silver bullion coin series will provide a new option for precious metals investors and an interesting product for collectors of the America the Beautiful Quarters.
Authorization for the bullion coins comes from Public Law 110-456 America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. In addition to authorizing a new series quarters, the issuance of a related silver bullion investment product is also stipulated. The coins will be struck in .999 fine silver and have a bullion weight of 5 ounces.
The America the Beautiful Silver Bullion coins will be designed as exact duplicates of the circulating quarter dollars, but on a larger canvas. The bullion coins have a diameter of 3 inches. All inscriptions on the silver bullion coins will be identical to those on the quarters, including the denomination “quarter dollar.” The edge of the bullion coins will contain the information on the fineness and weight of the coins as incused edge lettering.
Availability and Sales
The America the Beautiful bullion coins will be distributed through the United States Mint’s network of authorized purchasers. These bulk buyers are able to order the coins directly and then resell them to other bullion dealers, coin dealers, and the public. The bullion coins may also be purchased by the National Park Service for resale to the public.
Under the authorizing legislation, the US Mint may make the coins available to authorized purchasers no sooner than the first day of the calendar year in which the corresponding quarter dollar coin is issued. The bullion coins may only be available for sale during the year in which the quarter is issued.
The first of the five ounce silver bullion coins are expected to be released by mid-year in 2010. The 2010 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins will feature Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mount Hood National Forest.
Silver Bullion Coins
The America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins will be mark a significant change for the US Mint’s bullion coin offerings. Until now, the only silver bullion weight offered was one ounce size with the American Silver Eagle. The US Mint will join other world mints in providing a larger sized weight to provide a greater variety of investment options.
The new series is likely to attract both precious metals investors and coin collectors. The coins can be purchased as investment vehicles for the price of silver, or as an accompaniment to collecting America the Beautiful Quarters series. This site will provide information on each release of the series with updated information as the series progresses. Stay tuned for future updates!