Get ready… One of the most popular U.S. Mint annual products debuts today, Sept. 16. The 2016-W Proof American Silver Eagle goes on sale beginning at noon Eastern Time for $53.95.
Demand for the coin is high every year, but expect extra interest for this one because it serves as a 30th anniversary issue. And to mark the special occasion, it features a smooth edge with "30th ANNIVERSARY" incused in italics.
The lettered edge replaces the standard reeded treatment that has been on American Silver Eagles since their 1986 inaugural release. Congress directed the anniversary inscription as part of the larger FAST Act which was signed into law last year. However, don’t get too used to the new edge. It’s for this year only.
American Silver Eagles are released in proof and uncirculated qualities for collectors and in a bullion edition for investors. They share designs and major specifications, to include size and a composition in 1 oz. of 99.9% pure silver. The uncirculated version, as a collector coin, will also have a smooth edge and anniversary inscription. The U.S. Mint has not announced when it will launch, but did say its price will be $44.95. The bullion edition debuted earlier in the year and has year-to-date sales of 29,850,500. It kept its traditional reeded edge.
For the record, recent proof Silver Eagle annual sales have ranged from about 700,000 to around 900,000 coins.
Ordering
Those interested in buying a 2016-W 30th Anniversary Proof American Silver Eagle may do so directly from the U.S. Mint by visiting their online ordering page. Orders are also accepted by telephone at 1-800-USA-MINT.
This year’s proof will also be featured within the upcoming 2016 Congratulations Set and 2016 Ronald Reagan Coin & Currency Set.
Synoptic 12 – The private vendor company employees at the Mint’s call center in Texas are very kind & professional in my experience, but they are not numismatic experts of course & they often do not know about numismatic public law specifics & usually are not aware of info in the Mint’s press releases sent from Mint headquarters in Washington D.C. They only know what is on the website for all to see. They have often answered with “no information on that at this time,” when in fact the Mint’s own press releases have stated otherwise or the specifics of… Read more »
Seth
Would most certainly agree with the crux of your statement. But, there are still a ‘few’ that can provide some insight. I remember the call center in Maryland as there were ‘experienced’ staffers which provided additional information in being highly useful. In its entirety, I believe you have presented the facts successfully and without any bias.
* Irrespective on the above, what is your opinion as to the Uncirculated (W) being released in 2017?
12 – Since the 2016 Uncirculated Burnished finish ASE $1 coin is on the Mint’s official product list with an assigned product item number, I expect them to produce the coin. It is currently on the TBD status as to when it will be released for sale. Of course, they still have about 3.5 months to do so. Nothing is set in stone with Mint products except those required by Congress through public law signed by the president, but it is a very popular coin finish & I would be shocked if they didn’t produce it for sale during this… Read more »
As is the usual and the norm for most items for sale on the Net, the U.S. Mint has no experts in the Numismatic Field to answer even the most basic Questions, Like why the Native American Coin & Currency Sets vary the Mint Mark from Year to Year, the answer I got was ” Because that’s where it was Minted “. The Mint should cater to the ” average ” Collector which makes up the vast majority of all Collectors. Instead, they make deals of quantity purchase agreements and First Picks that we as the Riff-Rat genre cannot touch.… Read more »
Thank you very much Seth.
First day sales of this coin totaled 262,816 coins ordered from approximately 81,000 different people & companies, according to US Mint sales statistics.
-NumisDudeTX
What was the final total mintage of this 2016-W ASE.. 30th. Ann. Proof coin?
It was in the Millions, but the Moron on HSN selling coins got hundreds of the unknowing to pay $1999.99 for one, claiming the Congratulations set Silver Eagle 2016-W Proof was the rarest ever produced at 6000. The Mint stopped stuffing those cardboard Congratulations sleeves because they weren’t selling. The
1995-W proof is the rarest ASE at 30,125 being minted. The only way to get that Coin was to Purchase the complete 10th anniversary set of Coins, which contained the $ 5, 10, 25, 50 Gold Coins and the 1995-W Proof ASE. The 2016-W proof could be had several ways.