Launched at the lowest price in the series to date, collectors can now purchase the 2011-P Glacier National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin for $229.95.
The United States Mint released the uncirculated coin at noon Eastern Time Tuesday, October 25. It is the second 2011-dated five ounce collector issue, and the seventh overall in the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ series. The first four coins in the series, also released this year, sold out. The fifth and sixth coins are still available and at the same $229.95 — these two originally launched $50 higher at $279.95.
Just one of the fifty-six that will be honored in the collectible America the Beautiful coin series, the Glacier piece commemorates the national park located in the state of Montana.
Ordering Details
Collectors can purchase the uncirculated coin straight from the United States Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
As with the previous issue, there is five-coin per household order limit in place as well as a $4.95 shipping and handling charge.
Uncirculated Coin Specifications and Designs
All America the Beautiful five ounce coins sport the same specifications, including a 3.0 inch diameter, .999 fine silver composition and a 0.16 inch thickness to hold the edge letterings of .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE. The obverse and reverse designs match the circulating Glacier National Park Quarter, including the QUARTER DOLLAR inscription, but all quarters have reeded edges.
Designed by Barbara Fox and sculpted by Charles L. Vickers, the uncirculated coin has a reverse or tails side featuring a background view of the northeast slope of Mount Reynolds with a foreground view of a mountain goat climbing over the rocky slopes of the park’s high country. The obverse design bears an enhanced version of John Flanagan’s 1932 portrait of George Washington.
Each coin in the series is given an uncirculated finish and the ‘P’ mint mark denoting production at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The special collector packaging includes encapsulation within a clear protective holder, set in a black outer box, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Mintage and Sales Expectations
The Glacier uncirculated coin will have a maximum mintage of 35,000, which is the same as the previous Gettysburg issue but eight thousand more than each of the first five coins released in the series. Sales of the coins have been slowing of late, and were recently pressure when silver prices plunged $10+ toward $30 an ounce. During that time, the United States Mint halted five ounce coin sales for several days and eventually cut their prices. In fact, the suspension happened right after the Gettysburg coin launched and hurt its opening momentum, despite the later price reduction. As the newest product on the block, sales will be strongest during the first 24 hours.
A listing of previous issues is provided below along with their latest U.S. Mint sales figures as of October 24.
2010 and 2011 5 Oz Silver Uncirculated Coin Issues
The first five uncirculated coins honored:
- Hot Springs National Park, AR (Sold Out)
- Yellowstone National Park, WY (Sold Out)
- Yosemite National Park, CA (Sold Out)
- Grand Canyon National Park, AZ (Sold Out)
- Mount Hood National Forest (24,161 of 27,000 as of October 24)
Three more 2011-dated five ounce uncirculated coin issues will follow the Glacier release. The launch dates for the final two coins have yet to be announced. For reference, the 2011 coins honor:
- Gettysburg National Military Park, PA (13,275 of 35,000 as of October 24)
- Glacier National Park, MT
- Olympic National Park, WA (Scheduled to launch November 29)
- Vicksburg National Military Park, MS
- Chickasaw National Recreation Area, OK
The United States Mint has already released five ounce bullion versions of each of the sites listed above, including Glacier’s that sold out in May. The bullion coins are intended for investors as they do not have the special finish of the uncirculated coin and lack the ‘P’ mintmark.
Glacier National Park Background
Considered by many to be the Crown Jewel of North America, Glacier National Park is a favorite among visitors wanting to see and explore remnant glaciers from the Ice Age. It is located in the northwest part of Montana and stretches north into Canada. Across the border it is called Watertown Lakes National Park.
The land in the Glacier region had been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. When the first European explorers came upon it, they found several Indian tribes. Eventually, a mix of races settled there and by 1891, the Great Northern Railway opened the area to more newcomers and visitors.
Those wanting to preserve the scenic beauty of the area petitioned the government, and on February 22, 1897, the land was set aside as a national reserve by President Grover Cleveland during his second term. In 1910, President Taft established Glacier as the 10th national park. Today, the park covers over one million acres and receives about two million visitors annually.
Visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm for more information on the national park.
