2016 American Silver Eagle Mint

So, to hopefully clarify things... there are (generally) 3 ASEs produced annually:

o Bullion. no mint mark. Not sold through the mint web site but rather through 3rd-party bullion dealers. Investment quality. YMMV but generally available for silver spot + a fee of $4-$6. Try your local bullion dealer or an online PM dealer.

o Proof. Mint mark can vary, but there will always be a mint mark. Available directly from the U.S. Mint. Varieties include Reverse Proof and Enhanced Proof, included in various special one-time sets. Includes OGP.

o Unciruclated/Burnished. Mint mark can vary, but there will always be a mint mark. Available directly from the U.S. Mint. Includes OGP.

No worries. ASEs tend to be quite confusing due to their split numismatic and bullion nature.

Happy to help with additional questions.

Also ... just so you know .. (CelticKnot said it vey well)

The mint started making Burnished ASE's in 2006.
Before that it was only Proofs and Bullion versions.

And .. If the coins were sold through the mint sales,
it would come in a box with a COA.

Bullion coins .. no mint mark .. no box .. no COA

I believe they started identifying whether a "bullion" ASE was struck at San Fran or West Point in 2011. You won't find a "bullion" ASE labeled (S) or (W) 2010 and prior.

Also, I don't think San Francisco minted "bullion" ASEs in 2015 or 2016. Again, you won't find 2015(S) or 2016(S) "bullion" ASEs.



***clarification, my original post said "uncirculated" ASEs, I was referring to "bullion" ASEs, corrected it so not to create any confusion***

He meant "bullion" and not uncirculated...point was appropriate

I have no clue why "uncirculated" is often used. I haven't found too many ASE's in circulation

You Mean like this ?

Thank you very much. Purchased a few at the opening bell. Never forget the amount of controversy adjoined with this offering. We were blogging months after as many long time collectors were furious they did not receive a set. We were on Coin Net, Coin World and many other forums relating to the aforesaid. Even Louis Golino was part of the conversation, providing excellent commentary.

* To be honest, I never read the C.O.A. as yet. If the C.O.A. makes no mention of that fact, 'it should have'. The sets are still in the original exterior boxes shipped from the U.S. Mint. You know, in a way I really enjoyed the "action" of ALL the fanfare associated with this set. However, as stated there were numerous angry people that were furious, absolutely furious in not receiving any. That's quite a few posts you have.

This year's ASEs blur the line between uncirculated and proof ASEs. From a numismatic standpoint, both are struct at least twice on specially prepared blanks using specially prepared die sets at higher forces than bullion coins, then individually handled and packaged for sale. This year (at least) both uncirculated and proof coins are being struck three times on a Gräbener GMP 360 press set at 225 tons of pressure. That pretty makes both of them proof coins, one is a satin proof and the other a cameo proof.

In 2011, the mint confirmed that all of the bullion coins used in the 25th anniversary sets were struck at the San Francisco mint and then individually handled on their way to the capsules. That is why so many of the bullion coins from the sets received 70s. Of course the only to get them slabbed as coming from the set now is to deliver an unopened box from the mint for grading. You can still get the First Strike designation from PCGS as long as the date on the package is before the cutoff date. I still have four unopened original sets, each in it's own box.