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Different finishes on BULLION American Silver Eagles ?
haysonics
Posts: 3
Hi,
Here is a newbe question for you all. I will appreciate any insights you can offer.
I have 2 bullion (no mintmark) American Silver Eagles; a 1987 and a 2009.
My '87 has a shiny finish like a MS Peace, Morgan, etc however my '09 has what I would call a Matt finish. What year did the mint switch over to this ? Did they do any other finishes on the bullion ASE's ? I searched through 17 pages of ASE thread titles before I stopped. I found abundant info on the mintmark finishes but nothing regarding the bullion ASE.
Here is a newbe question for you all. I will appreciate any insights you can offer.
I have 2 bullion (no mintmark) American Silver Eagles; a 1987 and a 2009.
My '87 has a shiny finish like a MS Peace, Morgan, etc however my '09 has what I would call a Matt finish. What year did the mint switch over to this ? Did they do any other finishes on the bullion ASE's ? I searched through 17 pages of ASE thread titles before I stopped. I found abundant info on the mintmark finishes but nothing regarding the bullion ASE.
Nature Abhors A Vacuum - Aristotle
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In response to your question, I do not believe that the USM has ever defined the differences on the bullion products, although it is abundantly clear to anyone that looks at them that there are different finishes. You might try inquiring from the USM, or alternatively asking the numismatic publications.
I am sure that there will be other responses here, as well.
I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.
eBaystore
<< <i>Since 2006 the West Point Mint has put out three ASE types per year- UNC, UNC Burnished and Proof. 2006 was the debut of the Burnished. I would guess that you have a 2009 UNC Burnished and are comparing it to a normal UNC 1987. Check out the Silver Bullion section of Red Book for more info. >>
Did the West Point Mint have the "W" on all their minted products? Didn't the Phila Mint produce the only ASE Bullion in 2009 and no collector versions were made that year?
<< <i>
<< <i>Since 2006 the West Point Mint has put out three ASE types per year- UNC, UNC Burnished and Proof. 2006 was the debut of the Burnished. I would guess that you have a 2009 UNC Burnished and are comparing it to a normal UNC 1987. Check out the Silver Bullion section of Red Book for more info. >>
Did the West Point Mint have the "W" on all their minted products? Didn't the Phila Mint produce the only ASE Bullion in 2009 and no collector versions were made that year? >>
Since 2001 the W has only been used on the proofs except for 2006 where it was used on regular finish for the 20 year anniversary. I do not know the answer to your second question.
They where shiny and they aren't anymore.....
<< <i>Since 2006 the West Point Mint has put out three ASE types per year- UNC, UNC Burnished and Proof. 2006 was the debut of the Burnished. I would guess that you have a 2009 UNC Burnished and are comparing it to a normal UNC 1987. Check out the Silver Bullion section of Red Book for more info. >>
Nope, the burnished look no different than the standard other than MM. The OP is seeing a change over time to a matte finish, which is a characteristic of all newer SAEs.
The early ones definitely have a different look than the mid/later ones.
I would have to open our book of them to see the changeover. May have been 1991 for the first finish change, but I am not sure without looking at them and I don't have the book with me right now.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
What was the first year that burnished ASEs appeared? Was it the 2006-Ws?
I knew it would happen.
I had assumed the bullion ASE would all have the same finishes to avoid buyer confusion "Hey buddy is this real silver?"
Now I am interested to find out whether there was a gradual change over from glossy to matte or whether it just happened one year.
As for the question regarding the burnished uncirculated, that is one I can answer. They began in 2006 and have the W mintmark (none produced in 2009). I also have the 20th Anniversary set and the '06 burnished looks noticeably different from my '09 bullion (as you would expect). It seems the USM didn't put much effort in 2006 into distinguishing their new burnished uncirculated "collector" ASE from the non-burnished "bullion" ASE and some people believe they are the same (except for the mintmark/no-mintmark). The certificate that accompanies the 20th Anniversary set calls the burnished uncirculated simply "uncirculated".