Hi, Need help on a New 1993 silver eagle proof. My Red Book Has 1993, 1993 P A guy wants to sell one with a mint mark S did the make one at the S mint ? And which one sells the highest? Thanks, Kenny G
The 1993-P is the proof ASE, right now it goes for between $150-200.00 As to the best of my knowledge, the Philadelphia mint made both the proof and BU coin that year. I believe 1992 was the last year the San Francisco mint made ASE's
Puzzlement Can someone explain to me about P and W mintmarks on Silver Eagles? The Red Book lists: 2003(W) Mintage 8,495,008 Unc. $12 2003P No mintage PF $35 I look at my 2003 Proof ASE in original mint packaging and it has a W mintmark and clearly is a proof coin, not Unc. My local coinstore lists: 2003-P Silver Eagle PROOF 2003-W Silver Eagle PF65+ DCAM So what's the story
Easy, the Red Book you are looking at is wrong and so is your coin store. In the first place, only the Proof ASE is issued with a mint mark. From '86 thru '92 the Poof ASE carried the S mint mark. From '93 thru 2000 the Proof ASE carried the P mint mark, with the exception of '95 when a Proof was also issued with a W mint mark. From 2001 to date the Proof carries the W mint mark.
That clarifies a lot, but brings up a couple of awkward situations. One, how does one go about telling the RED BOOK people they are wrong? I have both 2004 and 2006 editions with the same mistake in both. The situation with the local store is more complex. First they are real old-timers in the coin business and I am pretty much a newcomer. Plus I have known them socially for much longer than I have been collecting coins. How do I approach this. Is there some sort of reference I could gently point them toward?
Try this one: http://www.pcgs.com/prices/frame.chtml?type=date&filename=silver_eagle_mod It list the regular strikes and then lists all the proofs.
Shouldn't be too tough, the Red Book makes mistakes all the time. Ask them to get out the 2007 edition and read it - it is correct.
Almost forgot - if all else fails, have them look at the actual coins. The Proofs have the mint marks right on them - business strikes do not, for any year.
