Interesting News About the American Silver Eagle Coin
Tyrock
Posts: 311 ✭✭✭
Was just watching HSN (for entertainment only) and Mike Mezack has a presentation about the ASE coin. He and or someone else asked the Mint, under the Freedom of Information Act, for mintage figures on the ASE coins. The information provided, if correct, changes quite a bit. The Mint stated that all 1986 and 87 bullion coins were struck at San Francisco and coins from 1988 to 1998 were struck and West Point and San Francisco. No ASEs were struck at Philadelphia until 2015. If it's correct, there are a lot of books and slabs with incorrect information. If true, this is quite astounding. Everyone, I believe, thought that the ASE was struck at Philadelphia from 1986 to 2000 and then at West Point starting in 2001.
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That is a bit interesting. I certainly assumed it was Philadelphia. But hearing that West Point struck coins for Philly in the 1970s and such it is believable. I wonder why no proper mint marks for all these different issues then?
Who would have thought that collectors would someday care (and pay to certify, lol) where common indistinguishable bullion coins were struck?
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I believe that West Point is considered a satellite of the Philadelphia mint.
The occasional addition of a W mintmark was a creation for collectors.
The branch mints are kind of satellites for Philly as well. At any rate, why does the mint want to obscure the information even if they don't mark the coins with the place of manufacture?
No, the branch mints are not satellites of Philadelphia.
I suspect the mint simply did not think it was important that this information be publicized. I don't think it was concealed for any nefarious reasons. They are in the business of making coins, and since P and W production is all considered to be Philly, I don't think they thought much about it. (Collector coins and limited W quarters being the exception.)
The mint has played shenanigans before as we know. And I was saying “kind of” satellites as their whole purpose was to augment availability of coins in a region or to more easily process bullion.
“Coin collector” is on HSN right now and he’s talking about this. Pretty interesting. But it’s crazy to pay $189.95 for a 1986 silver eagle in NGC MS69
Them coins needs holders with more autographs, sparkling foil holograms, and shiny stickers. Be nice if it also plays music and games.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I hear you, and first day of issue... Does anyone give a care if the coin id first day of issue?
But it’s crazy to pay $189.95 for a 1986 silver eagle in NGC MS69
Don't forget tax and s&h and p&s. (pain & suffering.)
Given the minutiae that collectors are interested in, it should hardly be surprising. Look at the 1794 SP66 and the hoopla about it possibly being the first one made. How is it any different from this? The coins are different but not the OCD.
If it does not have a mint mark, or direct attribution, then it is generic. Assume Philadelphia mint - prove me wrong.
Cheers, RickO
“The San Francisco facility produced the first ever American Silver Eagles in 1986 and struck a total of 5.39 million bullion coins. Each coin contains 1 ounce of fine 0.999 Silver and is backed by the United States Government with a face value of 1 USD.“
Source https://sdbullion.com/1986-american-silver-eagle-coin
Maybe not greatest source but what a 2 minute search found.