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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,382 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
I was looking at the US Mint website today and the American Eagle 2015 One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin in particular. The description indicates that it "is struck on a specially burnished blank". Is this different than the blanks that are used for the silver American Eagles that the bullion dealers sell? If so, can you tell a difference when looking at the coins side by side?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Yes, the planchet preparation is different but results can be subtle to the eye. The primary difference is that the Uncirculated burnished version carries the W mintmark. It is also sold by the Mint directly to the public and the mintage is significantly lower than that of the bullion version.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
Thanks. That's exactly what I wanted to know. So from a collecting standpoint, there are really three versions to get each year.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5828 Posts |
Yes, there are 3 versions, if you look at it that way...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Well ... At least three ...  Sort of. First ..you should know that the mint started the burnished in 2006. I know they did not make a proof in 2009 ...have to check, they might not have made a burnish. Also there are a few years they made special coins. Like reverse proof and enhanced uncirculated. Also, I think they made two proofs in 2012, a "S" and "W" mint. Then in 2008 there are two Burnished, a regular 2008 and a 2008 with reverse of 07. To end the list 10th anniversary "W"mint. 30,000 mintage. Last time I checked, I think they were starting around $3,000
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
OK. Sounds pretty overwhelming, but I'm up to the task.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Didn't mean to overwhelm ...
And I should have took more time, maybe been clearer.
From 1986 to 2005, pretty easy, bullion and proof coin. Except for that 1995 W (10th Anniversary coin)
Most of the other special coins can be bought by getting the special sets. 20th and 25th Anniversary sets. Then the 2012 and 2013 two coin sets.
Once you get started .. gets pretty easy to fill in the holes.
I have all them ... except that 1995 W .. that one scares me. But I did start buying them from the mint, when they started in 1986.
Good luck .. keep us posted on your progress
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12815 Posts |
 , Bret! And this is a great set to collect. Fist of all, the coins are spectacular IMO. There are a few keys that are expensive but ASEs have only been around since 1986 so you don't have to get all that many at the end of the day. Silver prices are low so now's a good time to get the 30 bullion issues for spot plus a 3-4 bucks each. And I'd be on the lookout for a 30-year anniversary set this year! @GR58 - no burnished or proof in 2009. Only bullion. If my math is correct, there are 76 distinct ASE issues as of 2015 (only counting once bullion pieces minted in West Point and San Fran).
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
Thanks for the additional details and welcome. I collected when I was a teenager and some through college, but I have not been actively collecting for over 20 years. I already have the 1986 and three other early '90 dated proof ASE's. In fact I have four of the proof 1986 ASE's. I don't know why I bought four, but I guess I have three to trade off now. I also have six late '80's and early '90's bullion ASE's. Unfortunately, one will have to go because it managed to grow finger prints sometime between when I purchased it and now. What the mint did with making the 1995-W pretty much unobtainable for most people was pretty crappy. I'm still not sure about that one. I just ordered a proof 2014 and a proof 2015 when I ordered my 2015 proof sets, so they should be here today. I'll order the 2015-W when the mint sets go on sale. I appreciate the help.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12815 Posts |
Quote: I'll order the 2015-W when the mint sets go on sale. Individual 2015-W's went on sale on Wednesday if you want them now. The uncirculated $1 set is supposed to go on sale in June last time I checked, if that's what you're waiting for.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
I was talking about the regular US mints set which go on sale in a month. However, the dollar coin set does seem like a pretty decent value given that it's only $7 more than the lone -W ASE and includes five UNC gold dollars. However, that's only half the gold dollars and the packaging would be different versus what comes with the lone -W ASE. Looks like I have decisions to make. I received both the '14 and '15 proof ASE's today. Unfortunately, the '14 had a cloudy area on the obverse that appears to be some sort of residue and the '15 had an area on the obverse where it looks rough instead of mirror like. Given how much they cost, they're both going back and I'll try again.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,382 |
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