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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,935 |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12804 Posts |
I know this topic has been discussed elsewhere in other threads but I couldn't find a thread dedicated to discussing the change the composition of U.S. Mint silver coins from 90% silver to 99.9% silver. As you all certainly know by now, the U.S. Mint is now by law allowed to mint silver coins in 99.9% silver as a result of the FAST act signed in 2015. Starting in 2019, all silver coins produced by the U.S. Mint are 99.9% Ag, including the recently-released 2019 ASEs and the Apollo commemoratives. This CoinNews article goes over some of the history of the change, reasoning behind it, and advantages to it. One of the advantages listed is die life in 99.9% is 3x than that of "coin silver". That's a big win in my book. I've seen arguments that this flies in the face of tradition, but I'm all for my silver coins being.... silver.  Edited by CelticKnot
02/21/2019 11:28 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Interesting article. Thank you CelticKnot for sharing! I did not realize all the benefits of using 0.999% silver. I was originally ambivalent about the change, but now I am for it, especially if it will reduce the likelihood of hazing and spotting. My only complaint is that they could have waited until the end of the ATB series to make the switch. It's a minor quibble, but for the sake of continuity of the set, even if it's not a noticeable change. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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One of the advantages listed is die life in 99.9% is 3x than that of "coin silver". That's a big win in my book. If they actually do try and use the 3x as long I wouldn't be surprised to see another quality drop or "mushy" examples |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1044 Posts |
The more the merrier in my book. I can't understand anyone complaining about it.
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Moderator
 United States
187446 Posts |
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If they actually do try and use the 3x as long I wouldn't be surprised to see another quality drop or "mushy" examples I had the same thought. I hope they settle for doubling the life and call it a win. |
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Valued Member
United States
115 Posts |
I presume the weight of the coins will increase (if the coins diameter and thickness are unchanged), since silver is more dense than copper?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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I had the same thought. I hope they settle for doubling the life and call it a win. Time will tell and we can only hope. Seeing that we can strike 3x more with the same dies just makes me cringe when its supposed to be a high quality ultra modern |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
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I presume the weight of the coins will increase (if the coins diameter and thickness are unchanged), since silver is more dense than copper? Yes, the weight of each coin increases. Here are the 2018 specifications  and here are the 2019 specifications  You can see that the weight increased by .093 gm (+1.49%), but since the composition is now .999 Ag you're getting .718 gm (3.71%) more Ag. With Ag spot around $15.80, you're getting about $1.8 more in Ag value for the $3 price increase of the Ag quarters set. Ag spot price would need to go to $26/ozt to fully recover the $3 price increase in Ag value. The Ag Kennedy half dollar and Ag Roosevelt dime will also increase in weight and we should see how much once the Mint updates the product page for the Ag Proof Set. I expect at least a $5 price increase for the Ag Proof Set. Edited by BadDog
02/22/2019 09:58 am
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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Seeing that we can strike 3x more with the same dies just makes me cringe when its supposed to be a high quality ultra modern I agree. I will hope for the best though. Quote:
Yes, the weight of each coin increases... You can see that the weight increased by .093 gm (+1.49%). With Ag spot around $15.80, you're getting about $1.8 more in Ag value for the $3 price increase of the Ag quarters set. Thank you for sharing the spec comparison. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12804 Posts |
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Seeing that we can strike 3x more with the same dies just makes me cringe... I don't follow this logic. The material is softer. It seems to me that the reason they could/would strike more coins with the same dies is that Die Deterioration would occur at 1/3 the rate of 90%. Regardless (and it's a moot point, but...), how is this different than what we had previously? Did we get mushy proofs in the 90% coins when dies were near the end of their useful life? |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Quote:I don't follow this logic. The material is softer. It seems to me that the reason they could/would strike more coins with the same dies is that Die Deterioration would occur at 1/3 the rate of 90%. When the dies wear down slower, the transition period from strong to weak strikes is extended. What I am expecting is that they will not notice a die is ready to retire until well into a number of weaker strikes. I could be wrong, but to visualize what I mean, let us rate strike quality from 1 to 10, with ten being best. Strike quality as die is used... Short: 10 10 7 7 4 Long: 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 Let us say that retire a die when strikes hit 4. Whereas before we had nothing less than 7, we now have 6 and 5 out there. Note this is not actual data. The ratings are exaggerated to make my point clear.  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,935 |
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Posted 02/21/2019 2:39 pm
