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Authorization for issuance of 90% silver proof US coins?

orevilleoreville Posts: 11,961 ✭✭✭✭✭
have a question:

Have the 90% silver proof coins (dimes, quarters and halves of recent years) been authorized for issuance for circulation in their 90% silver content on a year by year basis?

If so, how were they authorized for issuance for circulation and by whom?
A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!

Comments

  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536
    I don't believe they ever have been "authorized" for issuance for circulation. They are legislated for issuance in proof sets only. (This brings up and interesting question. Since they do not match specifications mandated for circulation coins, are they legal tender?)
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,961 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So this leads me to my next question.

    Are the silver proof coins die trial coins similar to the patterns of a century ago?

    Meaning, are the silver proof coins really patterns?
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536
    No, they wouldn't be patterns. They would be more closely related to Pieces de caprice. (Pieces created simply for sale to collectors for a profit.)
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,961 ✭✭✭✭✭
    conder101: Many "patterns" are really pieces de caprice, yet they are lumped within the pattern books as die trials.

    The ones of the regular coin design in off metals. Many of them were sold to collectors.

    Example is the 1885 aluminum proof set of the gold issues of the day.
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • Tough question.
    The 1856 Flying Eagle Cents were considered patterns. But they did give out a lot to members of Congress and such,
    and many of those were spent and wound up in circulation.

    When I was younger, I remember seeing a couple of Proof coins go by in my change.
    But at the time I thought the coins were ruined and worthless.
    Now when I think about it, a Fair or Good condition Proof coin might be really really neat to have PCGS slab it.
    Let's see PR01 PR20, wow, they sound good just thinking about it.
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