1986 Monster Box Of Silver Eagles?

How about an Early Releases pedigree on the very first ASEs! Could be a gold mine...

If the TPG can confirm that the items in the sealed box were released early in the production run, they will add that to the label. Lots of people want those early releases, I think due to the fact that the dies may be considered fresher? Others can comment on this better than I.

Like GymCoach says above (other than its 500 coins), is correct. You would also have to get them certified and your cost will be nowhere as low as a dealer, so you have 2 options.

1) Sell as is, its a group of 1986 ASE, they have a small premium over the melt value.
2) Get them graded and sell them, which is a lot of work and could take you a LOOONG while to sell them all

You're choice.

, Parkguy19 to a knowledge center of Numismatics. I am sorry about seeing Your Father passed, May You all, your Family, take and use His memories to keep Him strong, in Your life.... I am a collector too, That said, There are MANY types of collectors in Numismatics, the study of coins and currency. People here are of a few kinds of collectors, those that have coins graded and are placed in a plastic "slab " and those of us that collect all Original packaged coins. Your Father left you a Large piece of His forethought, a monster box of the first year of the American Silver Eagle, 500 of them per green monster box. This is my opinion, based on the facts, you have given, IMO, They are the first year of the ASE's. The past 7-10 years have brought the slab companies newer and added options for a slab and their " labels " on those slabs, people that collect slabs, the labels IMO, they feel, are as important as the coins sealed up in the slabs. I see you have decisions to make, I also see your seeking advice, Weigh out ALL your options, I personally would recommend you collect everyone's ideas, and you decide. PS, The value of raw or bullion silver is on the rise as of lately, You could, as your Father did, hold on to them as He wanted to leave them to YOU, You may want to simply hold on to them for an investment for your future too. I wish you well, Prayers for You and Your Family, Be Well, Mike.......

Thanks to all who've helped so far.

Can anyone tell me where to turn to learn the DATE when the 1987 ASE's were initially run/produced? If they were first made after the January 9, 1987 delivery date to my dad, I think that should sufficiently answer my question.

Thanks to all who help to educate me.

the straps and strap seals look period accurate for 1986 or 1987 monster boxes. they did not have lot or control number stickers that early on in the program. as far as I'm aware they didn't get serious until around 2011 when they start printing the strapping, and 2015 with control number stickers and the silver eagle really took off.

before 2011 most monster boxes were written on with magnum markers. and marks-a-lot markers in the early years with just date and no control number. still could be either 1986 or 1987. no real way to tell unless it was opened. good news, he likely paid around $11 or $12 an oz for that box so $5500-$6000.
No marker, it could be the first year.. also could be early 1987 I suppose but ive seen more than a few 1987s with the date on the top right corner in thinner magic marker than what was used on the boxes in the 1990s and 2000s.

it should weigh about 40 pounds. if it were me I wouldn't let the box go for less than $17K, and I think you can get that for it. any dealer will sell BU 1986 or 1987 for like $42-$52 each and sit on it or sell them at rolls of 20 for like $900 a roll. it leaves some fat for them, but discourages them just scrapping the box and gets a little extra in your pocket above melt also.

Up to you what to do, just saying. It would be a nightmare to grade and sell everything, the dealers will want to get it from you for melt, then sell them a coin at a time for $40-$50 each, meanwhile, none of them are sitting on any older BU inventory to sell besides maybe some damaged and culls.

NumisEd, it's mostly about once the seals are taken off the box, it doesn't qualify for the designations, like if it was minted at SanFrancisco, or first strike or early release, or any of that jazz on the slabs to a dealer that would be interested in it for what it is, which is something that could be marketed to make money over a standard basic 1986 silver eagle.
the moment it's opened it becomes a bunch of 1986 silver eagles without special designations and just goes on grade alone. Much more desirable if it's sealed and intact and will sell at a higher price then if opened, then he could go buy some 1986s if he wants with the proceeds.

likely none have toned, they all would still be in the tubes they were packed in, inside the sealed box. that haven't seen air outside the mint, or new air from when it was closed up by them. They most likely are untoned still in such a confined space unless sealed up with a contaminant.