With the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Two-Coin Proof Set on sale as of June 7, 2012, the total number of 2012-dated American Silver Eagle coins struck specifically for collectors is up to three.
It will rise to four, and possibly reach five before the end of the year. A quick review of the currently available American Eagles and the upcoming one(s) will be covered in this article.
Coins for collectors that are on sale right now feature either a varying proof finish or a differing mint mark.
- 2012-W Proof American Silver Eagle Coins – release date of April 12; sold by itself for $59.95
- 2012-S Proof American Silver Eagle Coins – release date of June 7; sold only within two-coin proof set for $149.95
- 2012-S Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle Coins – release date of June 7; sold only within the two-coin proof set for $149.95
Those two coins in the San Francisco proof set are a unique product. The U.S. Mint has not produced or offered a proof Eagle from the facility since 1992.
The West Point minted Silver Eagle proof coin is exactly like the San Francisco struck proof which is offered within the special two-coin proof set. The ONLY difference between the two is where they were manufactured and the mint marks of either ‘W’ or ‘S’ pressed on their reverse. The West Point minted coin is considered the standard annual product that has been available since 1986, minus cancellation year 2009.
Reverse proofs from San Francisco that are seen within this year’s two-coin sets have a finish which is opposite of the standard proofs. Their backgrounds are frosted while their foregrounds are mirror-like.
There is one more known Eagle that will be sold for certain this year and that is the:
- 2012-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle Coin – scheduled release date of August 2; expected price of $45.95
This annual product from West Point was introduced in 2006. Issues for years 2009 and 2010 were cancelled due to shortages of silver blanks. Last year’s 2011 coin is currently on sale at the U.S. Mint for $45.95.
A possible upcoming Eagle is the:
- 2012-S Uncirculated American Silver Eagle Coin
In its annual report last year, the U.S. Mint said it was looking "forward to expanding" its offerings to include the coin this year. A 2011-dated version was within the Mint’s 25th Anniversary American Silver Eagle Set.
Not sold directly by the U.S. Mint to the public is the investment-grade 2012 bullion Silver Eagle. These were released on January 4 and are available through dealers and precious metals providers. They do not have a mint mark and are typically available for a very small premium over the price of silver. Sales this year are at 15.272 million as of June 8, 2012. The U.S. Mint’s collector Silver Eagles have much larger premiums and are sold directly at http://www.usmint.gov.
Since first offered in 1986, every Silver Eagle has had the same specifications, notably the 99.9% fine silver purity, and same design.
