There are actually three different W ASE's for 2012, proof with W mint mark, uncirculated colletor version, called "burnished uncirculated" with a W mint mark, and then the regular bullion version with no mint mark. Some were made in West Point, some in San Francisco. They can will only be slabbed with a mint designation if submitted to PCGS or NGC in a sealed monster box.
The regular bullion ASE coins are produced at both the West Point and San Fran facilities. This has been going on for a couple years now. San Fran has been minting them to keep up with demand. West Point could not do it on their own. So, both places make the coins and place them in tubes of 20 coins. They then place 25 of those tubes in a green monster bok. The box is then sealed with two bands with the name of the mint on them.
Now, that monster box with the West Point seals on it is full of bullion ASEs with no mint mark. BUT, we know it came from West Point because of the seals. So what happens is a company will send that entire monster box to one the grading companies un opened. The grading company gets that box, THEY open it and grade the coins inside. They can then give it the "W" or "S" designation. If you read the label, it has the W in () and reads minted at West point. Those () and that wording indicate that this is a bullion coin minted at West Point. The "S" designation is the one for San Fran.
There is no way to positively differentiate the coins any other way. Once that seal is broken and the coins removed, they are just bullion grade ASEs. Some folks consider it to be a scam concocted by grading companies to make more money. I think that is a ridiculous way to look at it. This is a legitimate differentiation between coins.
Here is a Youtube video of a guy opening a monster box with West Point labeled seals. I cringe at how he dumps the coins out of the tube, but this gives you the visual to go with my description.
Just to add a little bit to what everyone else already said for PCGS right now the uncirc and proof W coins will just have a W on the label. The bullion ones will have a (W) or (S). If the letter stands alone its not the bullion version.
The coins without the mint marks, but designated (W) are different than the burnished W mint marked coins. The sell out is the Burnished W mint marked coin. As basebal said, the ones designated with the () are non mint marked coins and completely separate from the Burnished W coin.
Also as said, anything designated XXXXW is an actual W mint mark coin. You will not see the mint designate a coin (W). That is ONLY through thew grading services.
Just to add one more little tidbit of info. The ASE bullion coins ( without the mint mark ) do not " sell out " , by act of congress, they are minted to demand for the full year. At the end of Dec or close to it, they start minting the 2013. As long as the demand is there during the year, they are obligated by law to keep minting them.
Also, any Eagles in any sets sold by the mint are mint marked. The mint doe not sell bullion coins through their mint website. Your business must be an Authorized Purchaser for the U.S. Mint. You can then buy bullion coins in bulk from the mint and then resell to the public. Bullion cannot be bought direct from the mint
Sorry to throw a wrench in there Denco, but there is at least one exception. The 2011 ASE 25th Anniversary Set had two W's, a P, an S and one bullion Eagle.
The 2013 bullion version, even without the mint mark or graded versions you can see a difference between the (W) ASEs and the (S) ASEs. The (W) has a shiny look to them and the (S) has more of a frosted look to them. All of my graded non mint marked bullion ASEs look like my (S) mint marked bullion ASEs. Has anyone else noticed this with their bullion ASEs?
Good timing...I was at a friends house yesterday and he showed me his (W) NGC ASE's. He has 5 of them (I'm not into the () thing)...3 look burnished and 2 definitely have a more shiny finish (all from the same Mint).
This was discussed regarding other years of ASE's many times on different forums and the end consensus was that it was a die wear thing...the same thing happens with the bullion 5 ouncer's...some are proof like and some are not
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Posted 03/19/2013 4:31 pm
