I bought all 5 of the 2010 American The Beautiful 5oz. coins years ago in the blue mint boxes, and I have all 5 that came in a brown bag with no box, just a plastic round case. They are very shiny and I can't seem to get an answer from the Mint if they are proofs, or even US Mint coins. Would anyone be able to help me with these? Are they from the Mint and are they Proofs or Proof like? Thank you in advance.
The coins you bought from the mint were "collector" versions and should have a P mint mark. The one in your photo is a "bullion" version, without the mint mark. Both are uncirculated, not proof. From PCGS: In 2010 the Mint struck two versions of the 5 Ounce America the Beautiful Quarters, which are the Bullion version and the Collector version. The Bullion version (no mint mark) was only sold to Mint Authorized Bullion Purchasers. These Bullion Purchasers then resold the coins to the public. The Collector version (Special Strikes) will have the P mint mark and also have a slightly different finish than that of the Bullion versions.
Not proof...there are other 5-ounce silver coins that are proof and you can tell the difference, especially when they are DCAM or UCAM.
Yes, no mint mark, though why are they shinier and in a bag not a box? it makes no sense. Do you or anyone else know why?
Bullion coins came in a capsule and were shipped in bulk to the distributors, who re-sold them. Collector coins were packaged and sold individually by the mint. The collector coins were given a matte finish. The bullion coins got a polished finish. Different coins for different customers - different packaging, finish, and distribution.
It makes perfect sense. There were 9 or 10 official US Mint distributors of the bullion versions and each packaged the pucks differently.
