2011 W versus S American Silver Eagle

I hear what you are saying but help me out here: (1) A weak strike on a silver bullion coin not meant for general circulation? I collect ASEs and have looked at many under the microscope and none look like the two 2011 SF ASEs I have posted. (2) A weak strike on coins NGC determined as "Early Releases" and PCGS designated as "First Strike." I thought these were the best struck coins. (3) A weak strike only the eye of the eagle with the rest of the coin having very sharp details? Even if it is only a weak strike as you believe, it may help distinguish SF from W minted coins. I have heard that some Morgan experts can pick out a weakly struck NO minted coin by only looking at the obverse and never seeing the mint mark on the reverse. TC

 

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TC, where did you get your PCGS one from? If I might ask what was the price? I should have some spare time tomorrow to take decent pics of my NGC MS69 2011 ASE.

 

http://www.apmex.com/Category/1272/Silver_American_Eagles_San_Francisco_Mint.aspx

 

Ya know guys, even though I've made light of it, collect what you feel is worthy and on par with your endevor. Hey, who knows? You guys could really be on to something here. Something that could be quite valuable down the road. Or, I could be pickin' 'em up for "melt" someday in the future......

 

Thanks for the link TC. I might hold out until Paradise starts selling them. I can't justify paying $12.95 in S&H to APMEX for the one coin.

 

I just got an email from them today. ParadiseMint has 2011 PCGS SF ASEs right now. Check out their website. TC

 

Good advice. I bought one for my ASE collection and a second just for comparison (due to the differing eagle eye). However, I will most likely not buy anymore. I am happy with what I have right now regardless of future value. My attention is starting to shift to the 2011 proof ASE anyway. TC

 

TC: Did your 2011 (S) ASE graded MS69 by NGC have any visible nicks or dings on it? Because mine did as indicated in the following post: http://www.cointalk.com/t183422/
I was just wondering because I feel as if NGC was a little too liberal when grading my coin.

 

GoldenFire, my NGC MS69 has a visible nick in the skirt and some minor "scuffing" on the spherical part of the sun on the obverse. I too was surprised that it graded a 69. Ill try to get a pic today if I get a chance.

 

I looked over my 2011 (S) ASE graded MS69 by NGC and it does not have the same level of imperfections as you found on your ASE. I typically cannot see the difference between MS69 and MS70 anyway. That is why I own primarily raw ASEs, as these are meant to be bullion coins. The only imperfection I can see in my coin is a slight line on the letters LIB in Liberty on the obverse (see pics). This was under magnification but is likely what kept this coin from being an MS70. Other than that, the coin is flawless. I am not an expert grader but your coin probably meets NGC's criteria for a MS69. If you are unhappy with it you might consider calling the seller and see what they can do for you. I would probably just keep it but you need to do what makes you happy. TC

 

Here are the pics. These first 2 show the 2011 "S" from NGC in MS69. The 2nd 2 I bought from a guy back in mid May. Im assuming the 2nd 2 are W's because I am unsure if San Francisco was striking ASE's back then. I can't really tell a difference between the 2 from my pics.

2011 "S"



2011 W



Now to address the NGC MS69 questions that have been raised. Here are a few pics of my 2011 "S" graded MS69 by NGC. The nick on the skirt is easily seen with the naked eye. The "scuff" marks on the sun are fairly easy to see with the naked eye if the coin is tilted slightly. The scuffmarks were difficult to capture, but you can see them if you look in the pics.

This pic captured the scuffs on the sun. The nick is visible as well.


These next 2 show the nick in the skirt.

 

Well, I must say that you were very lucky then in getting a nearly flawless coin. I figure sending it back would be too much of a hassle, but down the road I might purchase another one from a coin show so I can see it in person beforehand. :yes:

Awesome pictures, swagge1. Your and Topcat’s pictures put mine to shame. After reviewing your pictures, I can’t help but feel that NGC has let their grading standards slip; however, in the same breath I think your coin looks far better than mine…want to trade?

 

No, they are merely coins sent to the TPG during the first thirty days after they were first released. They could have been struck last week from new dies, or months ago from worn out dies about to be retired. Al that matters is when they arrive at the TPG or when the green monsterbox was packed. Quality of the strike has nothing to do with it.

 

I copied your pics to my desktop and compared them side-by-side. I looks to me like there is a slight difference in the eyes, one being more defined than the other. Maybe it is strike as some have said but it may still be a way to distinguish the two mint sites. I have yet to see a well-defined eagle eye on a SF designated eagle. TC

 

Forgive an off topic aside.....


Proof ASE's....."in stock and reserved". Stoked.

 

According to the US Mint, ASE production began in SF in late May. I would be interesting to know how long it takes for the ASE dies to wear out. TC

 

Just received at office, will take better pics later, sorry...

 

these are regular, above posting was "S"

 

"S" on left
notice difference in eye and beak

 

I will pull out my Macro lens later, but here is a shot of a MS70 from SF. I converted one to B&W.