America the Beautiful 5 oz. silver bullion coins

Does anyone have recent information about when these will be released? The US Mint web site doesn't say anything about them (at least not that I can find). I read that a recent bill authorized the mint to reduce the diameter to 2.5" to solve the problem that the 3" size is too thin and the coins are bending during production.

 

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This has driven me nuts since I first heard about the 'problem' of the coins being 'too thin'. Lets do the math:

3 inches = 7.62 centimeters in diameter

Area of the coin = pi * (7.62/2) squared = pi * 14.51 = 45.6 cm squared

density of fine silver = 10.5 grams per cubic centimeter

5 ounces troy weight = 155.5 grams

155.5 grams per coin divided by 10.5 grams per cubic centimeter = 14.8 cc's per coin.

thickness of coin = total cc's divided by area of circle in square centimeters

14.8 cubic centimeter divided by 45.6 square centimeters = .32 centimeters thick

.32 centimeters = 3.2 millimeters thick planchet

maximum difference from thickest part of design to the thinnest = about 20%

so minimum thickness of coin = about 2.9 millimeters

and maximum thickness = about 3.5 millimeters

Really, how hard is it for a machine shop (the US Mint) with over 200 years experience stamping out metal discs, to stamp out a 3" diameter disc in fine silver measuring at least 2.9 millimeters thick up to 3.5 millimeters thick in spots? I'm sure any capable machine shop could set up a press and crank these out with great precision, without all the handwringing we keep seeing.

 

From Mint News Blog: 2010 Proof American Silver Eagle [11/18/2010]

 

So average thickness is a little more than an 1/8".....seems thick enough to me. Unless your using it to pry a bottle cap off or shim a door.

 

I find it interesting that the FV is only $0.25.

 

Yep... "Things that make you go... Huh?"

 

If these ever get released, they are likely to pop up unexpectedly and cause quite a buying frenzy. I keep waiting for my alert from Apmex. Even if they can only be released in the year of issue, they of course may continue to be sold into the next year by the authorized bullion dealers. TC

 

Is there a picture of this some where?

 

The problem was getting a coin press big enough for 3" planchets. Then the problem was adding the edge lettering required by Congress.

The pictures were released on Coin World and are copyrighted but they look great! Nice mirrors and beautiful designs, especially Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

These should be on sale no later than December 10th. The largest coins in the history of the U.S. Mint!

 

This is the closest I've seen in a recent Coin World article, see this thread

 

They are digitally enhanced like all images you see on the Mint web site. Not really true representations of actual minted coins. It bugs me that they do this as it's very deceptive, especially with the new effect they use to get 'frosted' effects on proof coins. They look cheap in person, but the illustrations are slick.

These are the largest 'coins' but the Mint has been producing 3" bronze medals for years, so it shouldn't take that much sophistication of production methods and machinery to create these.

 

I checked that thread, all I see is the Yosemite design. Is that what you are referring to?

 

Yes, that is the best image yet that has been published of these coins.

 

So its the same design as the quarters and thats why it's fv is .25? Any idea what the mint price would be on this?

 

It's all been extensively discussed about potential pricing in other threads going back sometime. Face value though seems to be perplexing everyone. I've seen no rational explanation, but it comes from the outline laid forth in the coin legislation.

 

Ok cool, thanks for the info. Why would I search other threads when you answer much faster? hehe.
I guess im kind of trolling, since I have no real interest in bullion. Sorry!

 

I'd like to be able to recite the other thread on pricing these coins but it was lengthy... I will try to find the post for you...

 

Alright here you go, here's the long post I made speculating about pricing the 5 ouncers... that post is from August so you will have to adjust the price upward for current silver price levels. I also think these will take on more of a numismatic premium and become more than bullion issues, and there's always time to divert some of your interests into bullion investing too. :devil:

 

The FV is not relevent but since these are based on ATB quarter dollars, they have a face value of 25 cents. I've got lots of great pictures too. : )

 

I searched every way I could think of before starting a new thread about this, but I didn't come up with anything. What search string would bring up the previous thread?