This was talked about in Coin World a few issues back.but coin net has some up to-date info. http://www.coinnews.net/2011/05/31/2011-american-silver-eagle-bullion-coins-from-san-francisco/
I can see why they don't put the mint mark on them, if anything it would confuse people, why put the mint mark on the S bullion and not the others? It would start THAT debcle. They figured, leave well enough alone. If it's not broke, don't fix it.
I wonder, if and when they decide to produce the uncirculated collector version this year, if there will be an "S" and "W" available........
I am not sure???? Before this came out in coin new it was to happen 2012. But if they could make more Money for them I would say ye$
By collector version...do you mean the Burnished finish coins they had been producing. Didn't they stop making those in 2008?
Yup, they did. Just holding out a bit of hope that they start 'em up again. I have a subscription for them from the mint and it reads "2011 x number of units". Last year it read 2010, so hopefully the mint is considering production on these pieces for this year.
I have never actually seen one of these...believe it or not. I only have MS ASEs from before those were made. However, at some point I want to put together a set of ASEs. Do the burnished finished coins look nice?
The "look" is pleasing. Satiny, if that is a word. A lot of folks really got bummed out when the mint stopped producing them. I really do hope they consider bringing them back, but the run on silver, such as it is, just might once again preclude that option.
You would think they could make a nice profit off of them if they are popular. I will have to pick one up at some point. I don't have any Satin finish coins in my collection...not even from those mint sets.
You can pick up the 07 & 08 fairly easy by buying the annual sets off of ebay. They didn't issue an annual set for 2006 tho. I have a couple of sets, unfortunately I sold my 2006. IMO they look really nice and a bit different than a regular ASE. That said, I'm sure there's many who would say there isn't a difference. check em out!! Oh and look at the huge price on this seller's. Wow!! Oh, I didn't realize it's for 10 sets but still. I paid $55 for my 2007 set and I thought that was a bit steep. Oh well, different strokes. :thumb: http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-annual-mint-set-silver-eagle-2007-w-/370350153200?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563a96ddf0
Honestly, the 'burnished' versions don't look very different than the business strikes. It is definately a very modest difference in the look of the metal. At a 'glance', you wouldn't know the difference, nothing like you would looking at BU and proof side by side. The biggest difference is between the 07 and 08. When they redesigned the reverse of the 08, I don't know if it was the design itself, or just the fact that they used brand new dies, but the 08 reverse has a 'frosty' appearance to the devices, while the previous ones had a more shiny look, like business strikes. I have my 08 and my 08/07 displayed reverse out, side by side, and the difference is 'in your face'.
Oh, and the burnished versions are still in production, technically, they are just on hold, so the series didn't "end" in 08. The question is, when will they produce again, and will it be anytime before the series is cancelled?
That was the point I was trying to make (earlier post) when I stated that I still had "mint subscriptions" for this issue. Then again that subscription page of mine still shows suscriptions for the 50 State Quarters issues.........LOL
I have a burnished ASE, but never really knew what it was or why it was different. I would describe it as having a 'matte' look on the flat surface areas instead of being mirrored. I also have an ASE with a 'W' mint mark on it which I was under the impression was a special version. You'd think they'd still do that on at least some of them for 'W' and 'S', but it sounds like that isn't the case this year?
First off, welcome to the forum InfleXion. The difference is that the burnished (collector) coin has a "W" mint mark. The only other ASE to have a "W" is the proof, so it's quite easy to distinguish between regular bullion issues and the collector issues. That said, read this article.....http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis...le&ArticleId=20865&et_mid=506786&rid=2200069# I can see it now. E-bay auctions with "S" ("S" less) ASE's for sale. This San Fran minted eagle is a must have for your complete ASE collection. Pay no attention to the fact that it lacks a mint mark. You can trust me (power seller) and I have absolutley no agenda in steering you wrong......
I was talking about this with another poster on another board. We were joking about APMEX getting a box from San Fran, sending it to PCGS to be sonically sealed in one of those crystal tubes, mentioning SF and adding another $2 a coin. Heck, they might come up with 1st strike from the 2nd mint...only available in crystal tubes of 20...get'em while they're hot folks!!!
Thing is, I think some of these (potential) rascles are gonna be asking a lot more. What a load of horse pucky........
You know it's coming. "We DNA tested a hair in the box and matched it up to a shipping employee in San Fran. Sorry, have to get $1 more per coin because we know. It's true, we read it on the internet."