Thursday and Friday proved to be an active news day for US Mint sets and quarters.
Thursday’s news was expected, as the US Mint had indicated for some time that it was releasing the 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set. Friday’s news was more sudden, although it also was expected to some degree. The Mint said it was raising the price of three silver products — two already released and one upcoming.
The collector 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set is now available for $14.95. It includes proof versions of the the 6th-10th America the Beautiful Quarters® which honor Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, Glacier National Park in Montana, Olympic National Park in Washington, Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi, and Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma.
Unlike like the circulating quarters which are minted in either Denver or Philadelphia, the proof quarters are struck in San Francisco and feature the "S" mint mark. The set may be purchased directly from the US Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
In returning to the coin news of Friday, the US Mint price increase and the three silver products effected include:
- 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set — originally released on May 27, 2010 and sold for $32.95 is now selling for $39.95
- 2010 Silver Proof Set — originally released on August 26, 2010 for $56.95, now selling for $64.95
- 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set — planned to be issued on March 29, 2011 for $39.95, will now sell for $41.95
The Mint increased the prices after reviewing its products that included silver, and after silver reached 31-year highs.
The four news articles below discuss in much more detail either the new release or the product price hikes.
US Mint Increases Prices for Three Silver Products
Darrin Lee Unser | CoinNews.net
A review by the United States Mint on the pricing of its products is apparently complete, the end result of which is an increase in the price for three of its silver products. The review was undertaken earlier this month when the silver market attained record levels not seen in thirty-one years — at times reaching well over $36 an ounce …
Prices Raised for US Mint Silver Proof Sets
Staff | SilverCoinsToday.com
The US Mint suspended the sale of its 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set during the first week of March as the set’s melt value approached within $1 of its listing price. At the time, US Mint spokesman Michael White said they were “reviewing the prices of current products containing silver to make sure the market value …
2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set
Staff | usquarters.org
As a collector offering, the proof set features four quarters that have yet to be released into circulation. The Gettysburg coin was issued back in January. The four remaining coins will be released in April, June, August and November …
US Mint 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set Release
Staff | ParkQuarters.com
The 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set is the second one in the series. The first one launched on May 13, 2010, and it celebrated the quarters honoring Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mount Hood National Forest …
