2011 W versus S American Silver Eagle

Thanks Ken. Hard to tell for sure but that looks like the bright-eyed, caffeinated eagle eye to me. TC

 

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Do people really think in the future a "S" mint will be needed to fill a complete set? Sorry, but absent a mintmark, and no definitive way to tell, I just cannot see why someone would say they have to have an example different than a west point issue.

 

This is the one of the cases where I would have to say,

"Buy the holder not the coin."



And it's only 50 or 60 bucks...

 

I think this thread is reason enough to get one, there is an established difference (even if it is only due to striking) for one to procure a 2011S, or a few and scrutinize them all for differences.

Pops and such will also lend some sort of collectability to them as well.

 

But how do you know your eagle is a WP eagle unless the TPG is also slabbing green monster boxes of west point eagles with a (W) designation? Bullion coins could either be form WP or San Franciscos from monster boxes that weren't sent in for the designation.

 

I wonder if NGC is putting "Minted at West Point" on the ones minted at West Point? Wow, this is getting weird!

 

I've asked that twice so far and gotten no responses.

 

Ya think?

 

I cannot answer for the TPGs. I do understand why they created the San Francisco labels though: $$$$$$$$$$. However, my understanding is that the San Francisco mint will only be striking ASEs for only a limited time this summer to the tune of 3-4 million maximum. It may be even much less than that and they may already be done. The SF Mint needs to start producing proofs sets and other issues this summer as well and cannot keep producing ASEs. Now 3-4 million is no rarity but considering that the West Point mint will strike 10x that (30-40 million), I guess any NGC/PCGS slab that does not have the SF designation can be considered a West Point ASE. I am also waiting for someone to show me a SF designated ASE without the winking eye. TC

 

TC: I have examined the coin closely, and it appears that the eagle’s eye is identical to your picture of the 2011 (S) ASE winking eye “variety.”

Here’s another pictures I took, I hope that it offers some more clarity than the first one did. I apologize for the quality; however, I never realized it would be so difficult taking a picture of a coin. Any suggestions as to how I can improve my coin photography?

 

Lets take a vote to get the best coin photographers to write detailed instructions on how to take the best pics of you coins. What type of coin containers to store them in for long term.

 

The bottom one looks angry while the top one looks mean.

 

Thanks for posting the new pic. I agree that your new pic looks like my second (San Francisco) eagle pic. I used a dinolite microscope to get the close-up pics. So, now we have two SF eagles that look alike in this thread. I am hoping more people can post, but it may just be that people are not buying them. TC

 

I actually just bought a MS70(S) in the NGC slab. I ended up dropping $130 for it, so it might not be the best purchase ever. If I am to understand correctly, San Francisco coins will be the only one with a special label. I can no longer find the article, but NGC and PCGS said they would not produce a special label for the West Point coins. I believe it is wrong to assume that these coins will not be desirable to collectors because there is no coin difference. The 20th anniversary eagles from the set have shown that certain labels fetch higher prices. I am also noticing the difference between the eyes, so I will let you know what mine looks like.

 

Hey TC, what model did you get? Of the DinoLite?

I'm looking at the AM2011 w/stand http://www.microscope.com/dinolite-am2011-tripod-stand-p-547.html for $119

Not to go offtopic, sorry everyone.

 

I have a AM311S. TC

 

So, I broke down and bought another SF designated eagle, but this time in a PCGS slab. Here is a pic of the eagle's eye from the new coin. If you go back to my original post, you can clearly see that it is a match for my NGC SF designated eagle. It is not even close to the pic of my 2011 raw ASE purchased back in January. More evidence that there are some subtle differences in these coins (West Point versus San Francisco) over and above the TPG label. Yes, I wish there could have been a mint mark on the SF struck ASE, but the difference in the eagle's eye may have to do. TC

 

I think thi is an excellent response!

But...........I don't think its gonna happen unless you go to SGS (Star Grading Service)

As for the SF coin itself, I'm gonna have to get one now so I can make my own comparisons because if there is a difference, someone's going to report it then the surge will be on!

Dang You TopcatCoin!

 

I received an email from an online vendor (Paradise Mint) today stating:

"Also look for West Point certified eagles soon in Mint State from PCGS."

Obviously, this is being done to make money. However, we may have a strong and weak eagle eye variety on our hands. TC

 

You have a strong and weak strike on your hands.
Happens with any coin production.