The Yellowstone National Park Silver Uncirculated Coin is the second in a series of collectible five ounce silver issues produced by the United States Mint.
All the 2010 five ounce coins are composed of .999 fine silver and have a diameter of three inches – the same specifications as strikes released as part of the series in following years.
The Yellowstone National Park Silver Uncirculated Coin, representing the park located mostly within Wyoming, shares the same designs as the companion five ounce bullion version and the circulating America the Beautiful Quarter. The investment grade bullion coin was released on December 10, 2010, as a part of United States Mint America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins Program.
These Yellowstone uncirculated coins were not released to the public until Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Like the previous release of the series, demand was strong for this coin and collector’s had ordered the entire mintage of 27,000 coins by June 2nd, each at a price of $279.95.
The reverse or tails side of the uncirculated coin depicts Old Faithful geyser with a mature bull bison in the foreground. Inscriptions on the reverse are YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The design, developed in consultation with representatives of Yellowstone National Park, was created and sculpted by Don Everhart.
The obverse or heads side of the uncirculated coin features John Flanagan’s familiar portrait of George Washington surrounded by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR.
In addition to the collector uncirculated finish, the coin is also different from the bullion version as it includes the Philadelphia "P" mintmark.
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. It is the very first American national park. However, it is the second coin issued in the series because it was not the first designated national site. Hot Springs earned that honor as a preserve about 40 years earlier.
Located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within are Old Faithful and a collection of the world’s most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, according to the NPS.
