Today, January 12, 2012, the United States Mint released its second numismatic product of the year, the 2011 Vicksburg National Military Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin. It was made available at a price of $204.95, an amount that may go up or down over time if silver prices make significant direction changes.

A 2011-dated product seems a bit off for the US Mint to be releasing in the year 2012. However, the five ounce program — named the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ series — made its first appearance late (in 2011 instead of 2010) as the US Mint had several obstacles to overcome in producing such a large coin. Not only is it composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver, but each coin has a diameter of 3.0 inches and edge letterings of “.999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE.”

The coins take after the circulating America the Beautiful Quarters, down to the same designs and obverse and reverse inscriptions.

"These three-inch, five-ounce, .999 fine silver coins replicate each of the designs featured on the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program Coins, which are authorized by Public Law 110-456," the US Mint describes.

While quarters are minted in either Denver or Philadelphia and will have resultantly "D" or "P" mint marks, the Vicksburg Silver Uncirculated Coin is produced only in Philadelphia and therefore carries only the "P" mint mark.

As a collector piece, the Vicksburg Silver Uncirculated Coin may be acquired directly from the US Mint at http://catalog.usmint.gov/. The Mint has indicated that the maximum amount it will produce is 35,000.