The United States Mint’s $10 First Spouse Coin Series, minted from 2007 to 2020, stands as a the Mint’s first numismatic tribute to the First Spouses of the United States. Authorized by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, the series was created to complement the Presidential $1 Coin Program, honoring the First Spouses in the order of their husband’s service.

The coins were struck in 1/2 ounce .9999 fine gold and carried a face value of $10. The length of the series and the rising cost of gold negatively impacted collector participation and by the end of the series, mintages for the modern first lady coins were typically under 2,000 per finish. These low mintages may make this series a sleeper hit decades from now, but at present, the coins trade for small premiums over bullion value.

The First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Series Year-by-Year

2007

Martha Washington reluctantly established the social precedents for the presidential residence, setting the standard for the public role as “Lady Washington.” She held weekly “levees” to bring officials and the public together, but she often referred to her time in the role as her “sufferings.”

Abigail Adams famously advised her husband to “Remember the Ladies,” she was an early advocate for women’s rights and a trusted political confidante. She was the first First Lady to live in the unfinished President’s House (later the White House) and remained a sharp observer of political life throughout her tenure.

Jefferson had been a widower for 19 years when he became president. To honor his legacy in gold, the United States Mint revised the iconic Draped Bust design for the obverse and depicted his gravesite on the reverse.

Dolley Madison was an iconic hostess who became a master social mediator and diplomat, famously saving historical treasures like the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington from the British during the War of 1812. Her famous weekly receptions, known as “Dolley’s squeezes,” were crucial in bridging political and social divides in the new capital.

2008

Elizabeth Monroe is remembered for bringing a more formal, European-style etiquette to the White House, in stark contrast to her predecessor, Dolley Madison. Before her time as First Lady, she gained fame for her bravery in France, where she publicly intervened to help secure the release of the imprisoned wife of the Marquis de Lafayette. However, poor health during her husband’s presidency limited her public appearances, leading to a reputation for aloofness.

Louisa Adams was the only foreign-born First Lady in the 19th century. She struggled with the high pressures of public life and often suffered from poor health. Despite her personal difficulties, she used her impressive intellect and musical talent to host important social gatherings that furthered her husband’s political career.

Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel Jackson, died on December 22, 1828, just weeks after her husband won the presidential election but before his inauguration in March 1829. Jackson remained devoted to her memory and did not remarry. To honor Jackson’s legacy in gold, the Mint revised the Capped Bust design used during his presidency and coupled it with a depiction of Jackson, in military uniform, riding his warhorse, Duke.

2009

Featured presidents include William Henry Harrison (9th), John Tyler (10th), James K. Polk (11th), and Zachary Taylor (12th).

Anna Harrison’s official tenure was the shortest of all First Ladies, as she tragically never moved into the White House before her husband’s death just 31 days into his term. She remains the only woman to be both the wife of a president and the grandmother of another.

Letitia Tyler was an invalid who rarely appeared in public. She quietly managed the White House until her death in office, delegating social duties to her daughter-in-law. She was known for her simple, domestic virtues and was the first First Lady to die while her husband was president.

Sarah Polk was a devout Presbyterian and serious partner. She strictly curtailed White House social functions while often serving as her husband’s trusted private secretary. She exercised quiet but significant political influence, working alongside her husband to manage his correspondence and advise on appointments.

Margaret Taylor disliked the public spotlight and spent most of her time in private and delegated nearly all social and hosting duties to her daughter. She had strongly opposed her husband’s presidential candidacy, preferring the simple life of a military officer’s wife.

2010

Featured presidents include Millard Fillmore (13th), Franklin Pierce (14th), James Buchanan (16th), and Abraham Lincoln (16th).

Abigail Fillmore was a former teacher. She established the first White House library and was a key intellectual partner who often discussed policy with her husband. She earned a salary as a teacher, setting her apart from most women of her time, and valued reading above social affairs.

Jane Pierce was deeply affected by the loss of her children. She served as an “unseen” First Lady, relying on a close friend to perform all of her social obligations. Her profound grief led her to believe that her husband’s election was a curse from God, making her tenure notoriously unhappy.

President Buchanan was famously a bachelor during his Presidency. During that time some evidence exists that he had a homosexual relationship with former Vice President Rufus King, with whom Buchanan lived with for more than a decade. To honor Buchanan in gold, the Mint reissued the Liberty Head design along with an image of Buchanan as a young bookkeeper at his family’s general store.

Mary Todd Lincoln was known for her lavish spending and melancholic disposition. She was a controversial figure whose time in the White House is forever linked to the trauma of the Civil War and her husband’s assassination. Her erratic behavior and mounting debt made her a target for the press, overshadowing her genuine support for the Union cause.

2011

By 2011, there were rumblings in the Treasury Department about ending all circulating dollar coin programs. Featured presidents include Andrew Johnson (17th), Ulysses S. Grant (18th), Rutherford B. Hayes (19th), and James A. Garfield (20th).

Eliza Johnson was mostly confined to the family quarters due to poor health. Her daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, gracefully stepped in to serve as the chief White House hostess. Despite her seclusion, she encouraged her husband to improve the public perception of the White House and oversee its extensive redecoration.

Julia Grant was a confident and joyful hostess who loved Washington society and took pleasure in the extensive international and national travels during her husband’s presidency. Unapologetic about her political views, she was one of the first First Ladies to write her memoirs, which were published posthumously.

Lucy Hayes was the first First Lady with a college degree. She was known for her advocacy of temperance and was widely popular with the American public. Her support for educational opportunities for all citizens and her role as a symbol of the “new woman” earned her the nickname “Lemonade Lucy” for banning alcohol at the White House.

Lucretia Garfield was a woman of keen intellect. She actively researched and restored White House history and architecture, but her time was tragically cut short by her husband’s assassination. She showed great dignity and strength while nursing her husband after he was shot, winning public admiration.

2012

On December 13, 2011, the Obama Administration stopped all circulating dollar coin production. Starting with the 2012 Chester Arthur coin, the Presidential Dollar would be for collectors only from now on – and mintages show it.

The Mint would adjust its pricing and product options accordingly. The price of 25-coin rolls was reduced by $7 to $32.95 and premiums were lowered for 100-, 250-, and 500-coin bags, which replaced the Mint’s prior Direct Ship program. This was also the year the annual four-coin set of Presidential Dollars was first issued.

Featured presidents include Chester Arthur (21st), Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th), and Benjamin Harrison (23rd).

Alice Paul, a leading strategist in the women’s suffrage movement, was chosen for a First Spouse Gold Coin as a special exception to the program’s usual rule. President Chester Arthur was a widower whose wife, Ellen, died before he took office (1881–1885). While the coins for most other unmarried or widowed presidents depict “Liberty,” the law specified that the coin corresponding to the Arthur administration should bear the name and likeness of Alice Paul. Paul was a leading strategist in the suffrage movement, whose efforts were instrumental in gaining women the right to vote with the adoption of the 19th Amendment. Paul was born during President Chester Arthur’s term (on January 11, 1885).

Frances Cleveland became an instant national celebrity and was the first presidential bride to have her wedding ceremony in the White House. Her youth and beauty made her an immediate fashion icon whose image was heavily commercialized, much to her displeasure.

Caroline Harrison was a respected activist. She was a leading force behind the architectural restoration of the White House and helped found the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was the first First Lady to use electricity in the White House and started the tradition of having a decorated Christmas tree.

Frances Cleveland became the first First Lady to give birth while residing at the White House. Their daughter Esther was born in the White House on September 9, 1893. She attempted to shield her growing family by occasionally ordering the closure of the White House grounds while the family was in residence.

2013

Featured presidents include William McKinley (25th), Theodore Roosevelt (26th), William Howard Taft (27th), and Woodrow Wilson (28th).

Ida McKinley: Suffering from epilepsy, she often received guests while seated, relying heavily on her devoted husband’s constant, solicitous attention and support. The President often broke protocol to be by her side during social events, making their famous devotion a public spectacle.

Edith Roosevelt brought organization and formality back to the White House social life, actively influencing its renovation, design, and restoration. Known for her private nature and sharp political mind, she served as her husband’s trusted advisor behind the scenes.

Helen Taft was an ambitious and influential partner. She was the first to ride with her husband in the inaugural parade and famously spearheaded the planting of the Japanese cherry trees. Mrs. Taft was an active political force who advised her husband on everything from appointments to speeches, openly seeking a more powerful role.

Following her husband’s paralyzing stroke, Edith Wilson controversially became an unprecedented presidential confidante, quietly managing his office and controlling information flow. She was later accused by critics of secretly running the executive branch, earning the moniker “the first woman president.”

2014

Featured presidents include Warren G. Harding (29th), Calvin Coolidge (30th), Herbert Hoover (31st), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd).

A modern, politically astute partner, Florence Harding openly championed causes like women’s suffrage and provided essential, direct advice to her husband. Nicknamed “Duchess,” she oversaw the White House social schedule and became the first First Lady to fly in an airplane.

A vivacious and fashionable First Lady, Grace Coolidge brought a renewed sense of glamour to the White House and used her visibility to advocate for the deaf. Her warm, outgoing personality made her incredibly popular with the public, contrasting with her notoriously quiet husband.

This highly educated traveler, linguist, and former president of the Girl Scouts, Lou Hoover was known for her quiet modernization of the White House and extensive social research. She was the first First Lady to host a radio broadcast, using the new medium to speak directly to the American public.

Eleanor Roosevelt fundamentally redefined the role, becoming a highly visible and active political figure who championed civil rights and social causes. Traveling extensively and holding her own press conferences, she used her unparalleled influence to advocate for the disadvantaged and become an activist First Lady.

2015

Featured presidents include Harry S. Truman (33rd), Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th), John F. Kennedy (35th), and Lyndon B. Johnson (36th). All 2015 Coin & Chronicles Sets included Reverse Proofs struck in Philadelphia.

Featured Mint Products

• The 2015 Presidential $1 Proof Set went on sale March 10
• The annual 2015 U.S. Mint Proof Set was available on March 24
• The 2015 Uncirculated Set was released on July 21
• The 2015 Presidential $1 Four-Coin Set went on sale October 22

Preferring a private life, Bess Truman capably managed the White House with a straightforward demeanor and carefully fulfilled her official duties without seeking the spotlight. She was a key political advisor to her husband, who respected her blunt honesty and political judgment.

Known for her distinctive “Mamie Pink” style and welcoming personality, Mamie Eisenhower brought a popular, domestic warmth and thriftiness to the White House. She was a calming and traditional presence who oversaw a period of peace and prosperity.

She transformed the White House into a museum of American history and art, using her style and grace to captivate the public and the world. Her televised tour of the restored White House was a smash hit, her public mourning gripped the nation, and she remains an international icon of sophistication.

Lady Bird Johnson successfully championed the Highway Beautification Act as an environmental advocate, bringing her warmth and efficiency to the White House staff. Her lifelong commitment to conservation and making the nation’s capital more beautiful defined her influential public role.

2016

Since Public Law 109-145 ended the Presidential $1 Coin Program when all eligible honorees had been featured, 2016 was the last contiguous year of the series. Only three presidents were commemorated this year: Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, and Ronald Reagan. The designs were announced on December 7, 2015.

Featured Mint Products

• The 2016 U.S. Mint Presidential Proof Set went on sale February 16.
• The 2016 Presidential $1 Uncirculated Set went on sale March 29.
• The annual 2016 U.S. Mint Proof Set was released on April 1.
• The 2016 United States Mint Silver Proof Set was issued April 18.
• The annual 2016 Mint Uncirculated Coin Set was available a month later on May 18.
• A special 2016 Presidential Dollar Three-Coin Set went on sale August 9.
• Sales for the Reagan Coin and Chronicles Set, which included a Reverse Proof dollar struck at San Francisco, opened on October 11.
• The 2016 U.S. Mint Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set became available on December 14.

Believing her mission was to represent “the silent majority,” Pat Nixon dedicated herself to the cause of volunteerism and extensive goodwill international travel. She was known for her graciousness and poise during highly public events, despite the stress of the Watergate scandal.

Betty Ford earned national respect for her candid public discussion of her breast cancer and addiction, making her a groundbreaking advocate for mental health and substance abuse awareness. Her honesty made her one of the most visible and influential advocates of her time.

Nancy Reagan launched the famous “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign and brought a renewed sense of Hollywood elegance to the First Lady’s platform. She was also a fiercely loyal and protective private advisor to her husband, particularly regarding his image and schedule.

2020

President George Herbert Walker Bush died on November 30, 2018 – two years after the end of the program as authorized by Public Law 109-145. The 2020 George H.W. Bush Presidential Dollar and 2020 Barbara Bush First Spouse coin and medal were authorized by Public Law 116–112 (PDF link) on January 27, 2020.

The 2020 George H.W. Bush Coin & Chronicles Set included a Reverse Proof from San Francisco.

A beloved figure known for her straightforwardness and signature white hair, Barbara Bush made childhood literacy her enduring and primary cause. She used her position to establish the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and was known for her sense of humor and warmth.

Coin Specifications

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The post First Spouse Gold Bullion Coins, 2007-2016, 2020 | CoinWeek appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

On March 25, 2016, the United States Mint issued the 2016 Betty Ford First Spouse 1/2 oz $10 Gold Coin. The coin is struck in .9999 gold and has a maximum authorized mintage of 10,000 across all product options. The coin was struck at the West Point Mint and carries the “W” mintmark. It comes in two finishes: Proof and Uncirculated.

The Betty Ford $10 Gold Coin is the second gold coin in the U.S. Mint’s First Spouse Gold Coin Program issued in 2016 and the 38th gold coin issued in the series. Consequently, it is the next-to-last coin in the program. First Spouse gold coins are issued in concert with the base-metal golden Presidential dollar series.

Betty Ford’s Life and Legacy

Betty Ford’s greatest legacy stems from her willingness to turn private struggles into public action:

• Breast Cancer Advocacy: Just weeks after entering the White House, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and made the decision to be completely open about her diagnosis and treatment. Her candor broke down long-standing stigmas and dramatically increased public awareness of the disease, leading to a surge in women seeking screenings.
• Addiction and Recovery: After leaving the White House, she faced a painful struggle with addiction to alcohol and prescription pain medication, which had worsened over her years in Washington. In 1978, following a family intervention, she checked herself into Long Beach Naval Hospital for treatment. She again spoke openly about her recovery, shedding light on the universal nature of addiction and the path to sobriety.

Inspired by her recovery experience, Betty Ford co-founded the Betty Ford Center in 1982 at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. The non-profit center quickly became one of the world’s most renowned facilities for chemical dependency treatment, emphasizing a compassionate approach, particularly for women who faced unique challenges in recovery. She served as its chair-emeritus, continuing to advocate for addiction treatment and speaking out about the HIV/AIDS crisis later in her life.

In her post-White House years, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991) and the Congressional Gold Medal (1999) for her lifetime of public service. Her husband, Gerald Ford, died in 2006.

Betty Ford died of natural causes on July 8, 2011, at the age of 93, in Rancho Mirage, California. She was interred beside President Ford on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (267, 10/2025), NGC MS70 (223, 10/2025), and CAC N/A (10/2025).

• PCGS MS70: eBay, September 26, 2025 – $2,420. Buy It Now.

Design

Obverse:

The obverse, designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Barbara Fox, features an approximately three-quarters profile portrait of first spouse Betty Ford, wife of Gerald R. Ford, who served as the 38th president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. She is smiling and looking to the left.

Her name BETTY FORD is inscribed above her head, while 38th 1974-1977 is inscribed below her portrait’s truncation. IN GOD WE TRUST is located on the left, and LIBERTY, the year 2016 and the West Point mint mark “W” are located on the right. Barbara Fox’s initials are found at the lower-left corner of Ford’s portrait (right above “38th”), while sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso’s initials are found on the opposite side.

Gaudioso sculpted Fox’s design and adapted it for coining.

Reverse:

According to the Mint, the reverse represents Ford’s “openness and advocacy regarding addiction, breast cancer awareness and the rights of women”. It features a young woman climbing a spiral staircase, the central point around which it rotates being focused upon the woman’s head and face. Overall an interestingly abstract motif.

The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the top of the design, while the inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM (“Out of many, one”), $10, 1/2 OZ., and .9999 FINE GOLD encircle the bottom. Except for the space between “OZ.” and “.9999”, the inscriptions are separated by rhombic dots.

AIP artist Chris Costello designed the reverse; his initials “CTC” are found on the bottom left side of the coin near the young woman’s elbow. Sculptor-engraver Renata Gordon engraved the design; her initials are found slightly in front of the woman’s foot on the bottom right side.

Edge:

Like all of the coins in the 10-year First Spouse 1/2 oz Gold Coin series, the Betty Ford Gold Coin has a reeded edge.

Designers

Before joining the United States Mint, engraver Barbara Fox worked as a commercial artist (View Designer’s Profile).

Sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso has designed more than one dozen United States coins and medals (View Designer’s Profile).

Chris Costello is another Artistic Infusion Program artist and designer currently working with the U.S. Mint.

Renata Gordon is part of the United States Mint’s sculpting-engraving department, working on several designs for the First Spouse and America the Beautiful Quarters programs (View Designer’s Profile).

Coin Specifications

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The post 2016-W Betty Ford First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Uncirculated : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

Striking Coins in 2009 Using Technology Unavailable in 1907

In early 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt charged sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens with beautifying America’s coinage. This revolt against the status quo was characteristic of the energetic head of state, who leaned into America’s emerging role as a global power. The president’s intention to have Saint-Gaudens design ultra-high relief coins in the fashion of the coins of the ancient Greeks was laid out in a November 1905 letter.

Saint-Gaudens was not eager to work with the United States Mint or have outsiders interfere with his design process. The artist’s prior experience with the Mint regarding the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition medal had permanently spoiled the relationship. Roosevelt, who dubbed his coinage rejuvenation project his “pet crime,” conferred with Treasury Secretary Leslie Shaw to find a way to pay for the new coin designs without involving Congress. Shaw pointed to $85,000 earmarked for the Mint’s General Fund.

When Saint-Gaudens got the commission, he was one of the most in-demand artists in America, a master of the French Beaux-Arts style, which heavily referenced classic Greek and Roman art. If Roosevelt’s goal was American coins styled after the coins of ancient Greece, then Saint-Gaudens was a logical choice to carry out the work.

Unfortunately, the artist was running out of time. First diagnosed with and treated for intestinal cancer in 1900, the artist’s health was failing by 1906, when much of the design work for the gold $10 and $20 coins was underway.

The U.S. Mint, at this point having no choice but to honor the president’s wishes, reluctantly worked with the artist, but technical and artistic difficulties persisted. Roosevelt’s wish to create a new coinage based on the high-relief coins of Ancient Greece discounted the technical realities of modern coin production. The Mint was America’s money factory, and coins made for circulation had to be designed so that the complete impression could be imparted on a planchet with just one blow of the coin dies.

Saint-Gaudens had his assistant Henry Herring work with the Mint to make the necessary adjustments to the coin designs. After a series of revisions, the Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens design test strikes were delivered to Mint Director George Evan Roberts on February 15, 1907. Additional impressions were made, but soon the reverse die cracked. Each finished coin took a total of seven strikes to complete.

Over the artist’s final months, the work to modify the design to make it suitable for production continued. Herring took the lead, as Saint-Gaudens was barely able to move. Chief Engraver Charles Barber continued to be critical of the design but approached the mandate professionally. Eventually, the design was modified to lower relief and put into production. Augustus Saint-Gaudens did not live to see his work completed and likely would not have approved.

For the 2009 release, then-Mint Director Edmund C. Moy tasked the Mint to use 21st-century technology to realize Saint-Gaudens’ vision. The original coin plasters were digitally mapped by the United States Mint, and digital design tools were used to create new ultra-high relief dies. Four additional stars were added to the design to reflect the admission of the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii to the Union. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST, not present in either the 1907 issues or the original design, was added to the reverse (where it appeared from 1909 onward). A small border was also added.

The Mint also leaned on the expertise of the Perth Mint in Australia, which had experience striking coins in such Ultra High-Relief. Receiving gold from the United States Mint, Gold Corp (the Perth Mint) produced special planchets that it then shipped to the U.S. Mint for striking. Perth Mint prototypes struck during the development phase of this project were donated to the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

In November 2008, the entire mintage of 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 gold coins was struck at the West Point Mint. The finished product was the closest approximation of the original design and is considered by many to be the most beautiful coin struck by the United States.

Immediate Aftermarket and Prices Today

The 2009 Ultra High Relief was offered for sale on January 22, 2009, with an issue price of $1,189. At that time, the gold spot price was close to $860 an ounce, meaning that the coins were selling at a 38% premium over spot. The Mint sold 115,178 coins, with an initial order limit of one per household, meaning that most of the coins were purchased by collectors.

But before collectors took delivery of their coins, several dealers already had standing orders to purchase coins from them at premiums of up to $1,650 per coin. Once dealers had sufficient coins on hand, they began submitting the 2009 Ultra High Relief in bulk to NGC and PCGS.

Demand for the 2009 Ultra High Relief at the time of release was quite strong, and an immediate aftermarket developed, helped, in large part, by third-party grading service label programs and the industry’s leading coin marketing companies. The third-party grading companies created First Strike and Early Release labels, novelty inserts, signature label inserts, etc.

These dealers immediately marketed the coins for prices over $2,000, depending on the grade and label design. In the post-release bubble, prices pushed past $2,500 for MS70s. Unlike in most instances when a popular sell-out turns into a resale market, these initial buyers did alright. By 2011, the Ultra High Relief sold for $3,000 to $4,000.

Is the 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 Gold Coin Worth Collecting Now?

In a word: absolutely.

The 2009 Ultra High Relief represents the pinnacle of Beaux Arts coin design and is the closest approximation of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ vision for his eponymous double eagle gold coin.

Demanding coin collectors may prefer having a certified coin graded “70”. To this point, be mindful of the premium.

Of the 24,000 coins graded by PCGS, roughly 50% of the coins certified have earned a 70 grade. NGC has graded more than 22,000 examples and has given a 70 grade to more than 60% of them. CACG has yet to have certified sufficient coins as of February 2025 for us to compare.

More scarce than the 70s are coins marked Prooflike (PL). Roughly 20% of the coins submitted to NGC earned the designation, while fewer than 2% earned the Deep Prooflike (DPL) designation. PCGS has also designated several coins from the issue as having Prooflike surfaces. The PCGS population in PL represents 17% of the total number of submissions. At both grading services, PLs are more likely than coins in the general population to earn the 70 grade.

A fair price for PL 70s, based on recent auction data, is about 50% more than the non-PL.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS70PL (1,928, 2/2025), NGC MS70DPL (326, 9/2025), and CAC MS70PL (36, 9/2025).

• NGC MS70: eBay, September 3, 2025 – $3,900. Buy It Now.
• PCGS MS70PL: eBay, August 31, 2025 – $4,395. Buy It Now. Ed Moy signature label.
• NGC MS70PL: eBay, August 26, 2025 – $4,088. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 24, 2025 – $3,860. 15 bids.
• NGC MS70PL: eBay, August 24, 2025 – $4,699. Buy it Now.
• PCGS MS70PL: eBay, February 26, 2025 – $4,575. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 14, 2025 – $3,999.
• NGC MS70 PL: eBay, February 14, 2025 – $3,999.95. Ed Moy signature label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 13, 2025 – $3,695. Ed Moy signature label.
• CACG MS70: eBay, February 10, 2025 – $3,499.
• NCG MS70: eBay, February 10, 2025 – $3,375.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 10, 2025 – $3,495.95.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 10, 2025 – $3,795. Mike Castle signature label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 8, 2025 – $3,495.95.
• PCGS MS70PL: eBay, February 7, 2025 – $4,150.

Coin Specifications

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The post 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 Gold Coin : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

United States Enters the Bullion Coin Business with the 1986 American Silver Eagle

The American Silver Eagle (ASE) is a one-ounce silver bullion coin, produced by the United States Mint under the authority of the 1985 Liberty Coin Act (Public Law 99-61 – PDF Link).

Bullion coin programs had emerged around the world in the mid-to-late 20th century. South Africa introduced the first modern bullion coin, the Krugerrand, in 1967. Other nations introduced their own bullion issues over the following decades, and by the early 1980s, the United States had begun to take steps towards establishing its own program. Politicians’ and bureaucrats’ eyes turned to the silver held by the National Defense Stockpile (NDS).

Established in 1939, the NDS was (and is) a branch of the Defense Logistics Agency tasked with maintaining stocks of strategic resources, compiled to ensure access to necessary raw materials. In the 1980s, the NDS owned almost 140 million ounces of silver, held by the General Services Administration (GSA). But already by the ’70s, many had begun to feel that the DNS silver holdings exceeded any potential demand related to national defense, and multiple presidential administrations tried to sell the silver over the ensuing years.

Concerned that a glut from the NDS would drive silver prices down, Western senators and Congressional representatives opposed efforts to sell the stockpiled silver directly into the market. In the early 1980s, bullion coins were hit upon as a compromise. A 1982 New York Times story quoted a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that described a bullion coin program as “an attractive alternative method” for selling stockpiled silver. The late senator James A. McClure (R–ID) had introduced legislation in both ’82 and ’83 to sell the stockpiled silver through a silver bullion coin program, but both bills died in committee.

On June 21, 1985, Senator McClure introduced the Liberty Coin Act as an amendment to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commemorative Coins Act, which authorized the striking and sale of bullion coins struck from silver purchased from the NDS. President Ronald W. Reagan signed the bill into law on July 9. The coin, which was to measure 40.6 millimeters in diameter and weigh 31.103 grams, had to “have a design (A) symbolic of liberty on the obverse side; and (B) and [an] eagle on the reverse side”^[1] and contain an ounce of .999 fine silver. The coins were priced based on the market value of silver and the cost of striking, marketing, and distribution.

John M. Mercanti, a sculptor-engraver who joined the Mint’s staff in 1974 and would eventually become Chief Engraver in 2006, created the Heraldic Eagle design that would appear on the ASE reverse for 35 years. In his 2012 book American Silver Eagles: A Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Program, Mercanti says that the coin’s obverse design (featuring Adolph Weinman’s Liberty Walking from 1916) was predetermined – although he didn’t know by whom.^[2] Research published later established that the choice to use the Weinman design on the American Silver Eagle, as well as the Saint-Gaudens double eagle obverse design on the American Gold Eagle, was made almost immediately as the Mint did not have time to develop designs from outside artists.

Though the reuse of a classic U.S. coin design instead of creating new art did encounter criticism. A 1986 NYT article quoted Weinman’s son Robert as saying:

“My dad’s Walking Liberty and Saint Gaudens’ Liberty gold coin served their purposes admirably in their time. But they should be put on the shelf and remembered as outstanding designs, period. To drag them out, dust off the embalming fluid and try to breathe new life into them is, I think, ridiculous and unnecessary.”

But even with the convenience of having a classic design ready to use, a series of technical challenges had to be overcome to get the coin to fully strike up, and by the time it was finally ready, 1986 was almost over. The first coins didn’t roll off the press until Secretary of the Treasury James Baker initiated Coin Press 105 at the United States Assay Office in San Francisco at a striking ceremony for the coin held on October 29, 1986.^[3] A number of coins were struck for and by VIPs in attendance.

November sales totaled 1,400,000 pieces, and 3,696,000 American Silver Eagles were sold in December.^[4]

“I don’t need a pick and shovel to start the San Francisco silver rush of 1986.” –Treasury Secretary James Baker at the October 29, 1986 striking ceremony for the first American Silver Eagles.

1986-dated Eagles were produced in two finishes: a bullion strike, which bore no mint mark but was struck exclusively at the San Francisco Mint (a fact the numismatic community did not know until a 2020 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Lee Minshull, Owner of Lee Minshull Rare Coins Inc., was fulfilled by the government, leading to a lengthy Coin World article by veteran numismatic journalist Paul Gilkes); and a Proof issue, which also was struck exclusively at San Francisco but did bear the ‘S’ mintmark.

Prooflike examples of the 1986 bullion strike are known. Over the decades, the Mint’s evolving Silver Eagle die preparation process has resulted in distinctive appearances that could offer some variety for a keen-eyed collector.

The 1986 American Silver Eagle: A Popular Collector Coin and a Cautionary Tale of Vanishing Value

The American Silver Eagle is a bullion coin that is widely held as a commodity and traded as a collectible. Silver Eagles from any date are seen as interchangeable as a bullion play. However, as a collectible, the first-year issue 1986 bullion strike is usually offered at a 15% to 30% premium over generic issues from the series’ 37-year run. This premium places the 1986 issue on or near par with the scarcer bullion strike issues of 1995 and 1997.

With a mintage of 5,393,005 pieces, the 1986 American Silver Eagle should not be confused with a scarce or rare coin. For raw examples that are in especially nice condition, it is reasonable to pay a couple of dollars over spot. Otherwise, pass.

Certified examples, of course, cost more than raw ones, but their pricing history tells an interesting story.

To understand today’s pricing levels, we must first examine the certified Silver Eagle scene of 2013-15. Through the end of 2013, PCGS and NGC treated the 1986 American Silver Eagle (as well as other 1980s and early ’90s issues) differently. NGC held the majority market share and, in their census report, represented bullion strikes in MS69 and MS70 grades. While some dates were more challenging than others, none were prohibitively rare.

PCGS took a different approach. Although PCGS had lower submission numbers for American Silver Eagles, there were some dates where MS69 was the highest grade that submitters could reasonably expect to earn. The PCGS policy on certifying MS70 was so strict that some dates had no MS70 coins, and others had MS70 populations in the single digits.

The 1986 issue was one of the latter dates, and for a time, the PCGS population of MS70 coins was just three.

In February 2013, Heritage Auctions sold one of those three PCGS MS70 coins for the remarkable sum of $21,150. In an NGC white core holder, with a population of just over 1,200, the same coin would have sold for about $775. The Heritage sale was not an outlier. Two years later, with the population still at three, GreatCollections sold another 1986 PCGS MS70 for $22,000.

Then something changed. In the summer of 2015, PCGS certified 30 additional 1986 Silver Eagles as MS70, which lowered the price level to $5,000.

An insider bulk submitter informed us at the time that the company was now issuing grades it had previously withheld, which led to his company increasing the number of bulk submissions to PCGS. This is not to suggest that PCGS explicitly told him they would grade coins more leniently, but rather that his recent submissions were netting a handful of valuable MS70 coins.

The 1986 Silver Eagle was not the only conditionally rare date affected by this apparent shift in direction.

While the service has never explicitly stated that it would not grade American Silver Eagles at 70, we believe that the milk spotting issue may have significantly contributed to the company’s previous lack of perfect coins.

Through cert number analysis, we also observed that several of the low-pop 70 issues saw the 70-graded coins come in groupings from a handful of submissions. For one date, half of all 70s came from one “monster box,” and every coin in that box was represented after CoinWeek conducted a sequential cert number analysis.

Moving to the present day, we see that PCGS MS-70 Silver Eagles from 1986 have advanced to the point where NGC was in the fall of 2014. Current population data published on PCGS CoinFacts shows 1,793 MS-70s. CoinWeek’s market research places the price of these coins at between $750 and $800.

While we’re not in the habit of patting ourselves on the back when it comes to coin market analysis, we did predict a collapse in the 1986 MS-70 price after the 2013 Heritage sale, writing that “safer money could be probably be ‘invested’ elsewhere.” We held firm to that belief even when, in April 2015, GreatCollections sold another example for $22,000. We said the same thing about the record-breaking 1995-W American Silver Eagle, which we called a “burial coin” (meaning the owner would be “buried” in it at that price).

Now that we see a sustainable yield for MS-69 and MS-70 coins from both services, we believe that prices for PCGS- and NGC-certified Silver Eagles will approach equilibrium. NGC maintains a clear lead on the number of submissions, due in large part to the long-term relationships they have developed with major submitters of modern bullion material.

The 1986 American Silver Eagle and the Phantom “S” Mintmark Designation

Since the 2020 disclosure mentioned above that all Uncirculated strike American Silver Eagles came from the San Francisco Mint, the grading services have allowed submitters to market coins with the parenthetic “(S)” label. Coins in those holders are no different than the rest of the certified population. They do not warrant a special premium for the notation.

CoinWeek Notes’ August 2025 Price Analysis

This comprehensive analysis combines transaction data from February to August 2025 with critical historical and population data to provide a complete picture of the market for the 1986 American Silver Eagle in MS70 grade. The findings confirm that this coin’s value is no longer solely driven by its perfect grade, but by a complex interplay of market-making factors, including population, grading service, and unique pedigree.

Key Context: A Cautionary Tale of Vanishing Value

The 1986 American Silver Eagle, the first bullion coin in the series, is not a rare coin. With a mintage of over 5.3 million pieces, its numismatic premium in raw form is modest. However, its value in the top grade of MS70 has a turbulent history, as referenced by our section above.

As of August 21, 2025, the populations are:

• NGC MS70: 6,150
• PCGS MS70: 2,211
• CAC MS70: 109

The continued growth in these numbers—with populations increasing by 4-13% in the past six months—reinforces the “cautionary tale” that value driven by temporary scarcity can vanish as supply enters the market.

Statistical Breakdown of Current Market Activity

The analysis of 42 eBay transactions from February to August 2025 provides a clear statistical snapshot of today’s market. The mean price is $927.43, but with a high standard deviation of $218.20, indicating a wide range of prices driven by specific factors.

1. Price by Grading Service

The long-standing price premium for PCGS examples has effectively disappeared. Statistical analysis confirms that prices for NGC and PCGS examples are now statistically comparable, approaching a state of equilibrium.

The one CACG-graded transaction stands out. While a single data point, its high price aligns with the company’s stricter grading standards and its very low population, which is less than 2% of NGC’s.

2. Price by Signature Label

The most significant price premiums are directly tied to special signature labels, which add a unique numismatic pedigree to the coins.

• John Mercanti Signature: The designer of the coin’s reverse, John Mercanti, is the most prevalent premium in the data. These coins sold for an average of $1,033.10, a 23% premium over coins with a standard, “plain” label.
• Other Signatures: Other rarities, such as the single transaction for a coin with a signature from former U.S. Treasurer Anna Cabral ($1,695) or a Witterbrick label ($1,500), underscore the market’s willingness to pay for rare pedigree.
• Plain Labels: Standard examples with no special label have a mean price of $839.64, serving as the baseline for the coin’s value.

3. Price by Sale Type

The method of sale also significantly impacts the final price.

• Auctions: Auctions, where competitive bidding occurs, averaged $826.53.
• Buy It Now (BIN): BIN listings, often used for premium examples or by sellers seeking a fixed price, averaged $1,005.85, an 18% premium over auction sales.
  This shows that competitive bidding tends to establish a more realistic market price, while fixed-price sales capture a premium for convenience and highly desirable coins.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The market for the 1986 American Silver Eagle MS70 has achieved a new equilibrium. Its value is no longer defined by artificial scarcity but by a sustainable baseline price that hovers around the $850 median. The data clearly shows that collectors are prioritizing unique pedigrees, with signature labels and the rarity of the CAC grade driving premiums of 20% to over 50%.

For collectors, this analysis suggests:

• Fair Value: A fair price for a standard NGC or PCGS MS70 coin is in the $800-$900 range.
• Premium for Pedigree: Examples with desirable signature labels, particularly the popular John Mercanti series, consistently command a premium.
• Risk Mitigation: The coin’s history serves as a potent reminder that premiums built on manufactured rarity can collapse. The continued growth in MS70 populations, particularly from NGC, suggests that the market should be closely monitored for any signs of price softening.

* * *

Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (2,211, 8/2025), NGC MS70 (6,150, 8/2025), and CAC MS70 (109, 8/2025).

• NGC MS70: eBay, August 20, 2025 – $1,695. Anna Cabral Signature label. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 20, 2025 – $1,515.15. John Mercanti Signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, August 19, 2025 – $825. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 16, 2025 – $999.99. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 12, 2025 – $819. 1 Bid.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 11, 2025 – $842.79. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 8, 2025 – $710. 2 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 7, 2025 – $1,095. John Mercanti Signature label. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 5, 2025 – $786.21. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 4, 2025 – $785. 22 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 3, 2025 – $835. Old holder. 3 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, August 1, 2025 – $788. Ken Bressett Signature label. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 30, 2025 – $819. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 23, 2025 – $899. John Mercanti Signature label. 47 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 19, 2025 – $673. 17 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 19, 2025 – $990. John Mercanti Signature label. 63 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 18, 2025 – $1,100. John Mercanti Signature label. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 7, 2025 – $899.99. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, July 6, 2025 – $805. Old holder. 2 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 29, 2025 – $995. John Mercanti Signature label. 1 bid.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 26, 2025 – 850. John Mercanti Signature label. 1 bid.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 23, 2025 – $850. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 22, 2025 – $670. 30 bids.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, June 20, 2025 – $800. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 20, 2025 – $1,050. John Mercanti Signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, June 12, 2025 – $850. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 12, 2025 – $1,095. John Mercanti Signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, June 10, 2025 – $921. John Mercanti Signature label. 8 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 8, 2025 – $795. Old Holder. 1 bid.
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 8, 2025 – $775. Buy It Now
• NGC MS70: eBay, June 7, 2025 – $912. John Mercanti Signature label. 24 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, May 31, 2025 – $775. 22 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, May 28, 2025 – $825. Old Holder. Buy It Now.
• CACG MS70: eBay, May 23, 2025 – $1,500. Witterbrick. Buy It Now.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 16, 2025 – $799.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 14, 2025 – $1,149.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 13, 2025 – $907. 28 bids.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 13, 2025 – $985.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 13, 2025 – $795.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 11, 2025 – $1,086,75.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 10, 2025 – 975. John Mercanti signature label.
• NGC MS70: eBay, February 9, 2025 – $710. 24 bids.

Design

Obverse:

Adolph A. Weinman’s Lady Liberty is depicted mid stride. She is seen as a full-body figure, dressed in a flowing gown, and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she also reaches out and presents a welcoming and open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s outstretched rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST and below her is the date 1986.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work. Weinman’s Liberty Walking design quickly became one of America’s most iconic numismatic images and would be used with minor modifications on the American Silver Eagle bullion coin starting in 1986.

Reverse:

John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon that bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. Wrapping around the design is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (top), and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR (bottom).

Edge:

The edge of the 1986 American Silver Eagle bullion coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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Notes

[1] “Liberty Coin Act” (PL 99-61, July 9, 1985). 99th Congress. 99 STAT. 113.

[2] Mercanti, John. American Silver Eagles: A Guide to the U.S. Bullion Coin Program. Whitman Publishing, LLC. Atlanta, Georgia. 2012. 24, 29-31.

[3] Rochette, Ed. “Sales Start Slowly for the New Silver Eagle Dollars”, Chicago Sun-Times. December 28, 1986.

[4]  http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/index.cfm?action=PreciousMetals&type=bullion. First accessed 1/31/15.

* * *

The post 1986 American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

In 2013, following the success of the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set, the United States Mint released a two-coin set to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the West Point Mint. Established in 1938 as a bullion depository, the West Point Mint served as the principal storage location for the nation’s silver reserves. Like Fort Knox, it is located on the grounds of a military installation–in this case, the historic and prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Although the West Point Mint did not gain official mint status until 1988, it produced Lincoln Memorial Cents from 1974 to 1986 and Washington Quarters from 1977 to 1979. These coins were struck to supplement the Philadelphia Mint’s output and did not carry a mintmark. The first use of the “W” mintmark came in 1983 on the $10 gold commemorative coins of the Los Angeles Olympics.

The first American Silver Eagle Proof struck at West Point was the notable 1995-W American Silver Eagle Proof, a key date for collectors. Since 2001, West Point has been the primary facility for producing Proof Silver Eagles.

The two coins that comprise the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set are the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated and the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof. Cameo and heavily mirrored finishes cover some of the Enhanced Uncirculated coin’s raised elements, and the Reverse Proof features mirrored devices and cameo contrast in the fields – the opposite of a typical United States Proof coin.

Strong Demand At Release

The two-coin set was released on May 9 and offered for $139.95. As with the 2012 San Francisco Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set, the 2013 West Point Set was struck to demand, with the Mint giving collectors and dealers a four-week ordering window. The set’s release was met with record demand and coincided with the opening of the 2013 American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) National Money Show in New Orleans.

During the first two hours of availability, the Mint reported sales of 88,000 sets. The crush of orders caused the Mint’s website to crash on launch day, resulting in an hour-long disruption for customers. Within the first week, 182,000 sets were sold; after that, demand slowed. For resellers, the open ordering window tamped down on speculation. However, companies that managed to get graded products to market first realized the greatest profits from the program.

Marc Landry Discusses the Release of the 2013 West Point Two-Coin Silver Eagle Set

CoinWeek video producer David Lisot interviewed Philadelphia Mint Plant Manager Marc Landry at the 2013 ANA National Money Show, where the two discussed the release and technical considerations of the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set and the 2013-W American Buffalo Reverse Proof Gold Coin.

How Much is the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Set Worth?

During the Mint’s four-week ordering window, direct customers purchased 281,310 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Sets. One-third of these sets were broken up and submitted to third-party grading services for encapsulation and resale. From this total, roughly two-thirds earned the perfect 70 grade. If purchasing “perfect 70” examples of both coins from this set, expect to pay between $250 and $300.

Sets in original government packaging sell for less, with recent eBay sales ranging from $180 to $250.

* * *

Read CoinWeek’s In-Depth Analysis of the Coins from the 2013 American Silver Eagle West Point Two-Coin Set

• 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated

• 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof

* * *

The post 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..

The 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated coin is a special striking of the American Silver Eagle that the United States Mint issued alongside the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof in the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set.

The 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set was issued to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the West Point Mint. Before becoming officially recognized as a United States Branch Mint on March 31, 1988, the facility served as a bullion depository and was known as the “Fort Knox” of silver. The two-coin set was released on May 9 and offered for $139.95. As with the 2012 San Francisco Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set, the 2013 West Point Set was struck to demand, with the Mint giving collectors and dealers a four-week ordering window. The set’s release coincided with the opening of the 2013 American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) National Money Show in New Orleans.

What Does “Enhanced Uncirculated” Mean?

Enhanced Uncirculated American Silver Eagles are not Proofs, nor do they much resemble uncirculated or satin finish uncirculated coins. Instead, Enhanced Uncirculated coins are struck with a cameo finish covering some of the coin’s raised elements, while other raised elements feature a heavily mirrored finish. These relief features contrast nicely with the coin’s satin fields.

Marc Landry Discusses the Release of the 2013 West Point Two-Coin Silver Eagle Set

CoinWeek Video Producer David Lisot interviewed Philadelphia Mint Plant Manager Marc Landry at the 2013 ANA National Money Show, where the two discussed the release and technical considerations of the 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Set and the 2013-W American Buffalo Reverse Proof Gold Coin.

How Much is the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Worth?

A total of 281,310 2013 West Point American Silver Eagle Two-Coin Sets were purchased. More than one-third of the coins issued were submitted to the leading grading services for certification; more than two-thirds of those earned a perfect 70 grade.

In 70, the 2013-W American Silver Eagle sells for a small premium over the raw and MS69 versions, with recent eBay listings selling for between $115 and $170 per coin. This is slightly less than what collectors have been willing to pay for the Reverse Proof from the set.

Those wishing to collect the coin and maintain the integrity of the original set and its packaging can purchase sets on eBay for prices ranging from $180 to $250. Expect professional retailers to charge slightly more.

* * *

2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (20,439, 5/2025), NGC SP70 (43,453, 5/2025), and CAC MS70 (6, 5/2025).

• PCGS SP70: eBay, May 27, 2025 – $169. Buy It Now.
• NGC SP70: eBay, May 27, 2025 – $115.99. Buy It Now.
• PCGS SP70: eBay, May 26, 2025 – $102.51. 18 bids. Gadsden Flag First Strike label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, May 26, 2025 – $119.,95. Buy It Now.
• NGC SP70: eBay, May 24, 2025 – $125. Buy It Now. First Releases label.
• NGC SP70: eBay, November 16, 2024 – $114.99.
• NGC SP70: eBay, November 14, 2024 – $169.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, November 11, 2024 – $169. First Strike.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, November 1, 2024 – $169. First Strike.
• NGC SP70: eBay, October 23, 2024 – $119.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, October 1, 2024 – $101.01. First Strike.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, May 14, 2024 – $169. First Strike.
• NGC SP70: eBay, April 27, 2024 – $199. Mike Castle signature label.

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Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is seen as a full-body figure, dressed in a flowing gown, and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she presents a welcoming open hand. Liberty is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY, obscuring half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above her rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2013.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps clockwise around the top of the design and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR wrap counterclockwise around the bottom. The W mintmark of the West Point Mint is located below the branch.

Edge:

The edge of the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

* * *

The post 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The 2004 American Silver Eagle bullion coin had a mintage of 8,882,754, marking an inconsequential 4% increase from the year before. The entire mintage was produced at the West Point Mint, but the coins carry no mintmark. American Silver Eagle bullion coins struck between 2000 and 2007 generally carry mintages between 8-10 million coins–to that point, a level of interest found only in the series’ first two years. Of course, the financial crisis of 2008 would herald a tremendous surge in demand for bullion coins as the stock market lost nearly $8 trillion during the Great Recession.

What Is the 2004 American Silver Eagle Worth?

The ratio of MS69 to MS70 coins has decreased considerably over the past 10 years at NGC and PCGS. Prior to 2014, PCGS reported 8.88 MS69s for every MS70 in their census; NGC’s ratio was 44.2:1 through the same period. Since 2014, these ratios have dropped to 3.6 and 12.5:1, respectively. It is unclear what accounts for this statistically significant change. It could be a loosening of the grading standard or a change in customer submission practices (perhaps they are only requesting that the coins that qualify as 70 be graded). But it’s not because better coins are being consistently submitted 10 to 20 years after their initial release.

Raw coins pulled from original boxes or tubes have likely been mishandled and would probably not grade MS69 or 70.

As 2004 American Silver Eagles in MS70 were selling for the inflation-adjusted price of $200 in 2014 and are now selling for about $110, a 45% decrease in value over the past decade is noted. American Silver Eagles remain a heavily promoted series, so expect the MS70 population to increase in the years to come.

Notes on Third Party Grading Service Labels

A few interesting notes regarding 2004 American Silver Eagles:

• Signature labels signed by Lance Armstrong were offered for sale by The First Commemorative Mint. PCGS reports a population of 812 coins, all graded MS69. Coins came bundled with a “Live Strong” bracelet and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by PCGS’ (and CoinWeek contributor) Ron Guth.
• Celebrity Iraq War veteran Jessica Lynch signed 601 MS69 label inserts for PCGS. These coins came with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by PCGS’ Senior Grader Michael “Miles” Standish.
• U.S. General Tommy Franks returned to sign two labels for 2004 Silver Eagles. Both coins reported in PCGS’ population reports were MS69s.
• Former NASA Astronaut Kathryn Sullivan also signed labels for PCGS in 2004. We presume, as was the case with the other signature labels of the period, that the Sullivan coins were also all graded MS69. PCGS does not report a population for this novelty program.
• 429 PCGS “First Strike” labels (all MS70) signed by reverse designer John Mercanti were graded in the fall of 2014, 10 years after the coin’s release.
• NGC introduced a new basic label design in 2003.

* * *

2004 American Silver Eagle Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Since November 2024, the PCGS MS70 population has increased from 4.365 to 4,375, while the CAC MS70 population has increased from 19 to 24.

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (4,365, 5/2025), NGC MS70 (4,958, 5/2025), and CAC MS70 (24, 5/2025).

• PCGS MS70 #80570570: eBay, November 11, 2024 – $189. John Mercanti signature label.
• NGC MS70 #8153045-005: eBay, November 11, 2024 – $109.95.
• NGC MS70 #5763074-036: eBay, November 8, 2024 – $349.95. John Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS MS70 #45691736: eBay, November 7, 2024 – $107.50.
• PCGS MS70 #47264587: eBay, November 5, 2024 – $169. First Strike insert.
• PCGS MS70 #33739288: eBay, November 5, 2024 – $159. First Strike insert.
• PCGS MS70 #45691807: eBay, November 4, 2024 – $150.
• NGC MS70 #2621111-014: eBay, November 4, 2024 – $125.
• PCGS MS70 #44304467: eBay, October 29, 2024 – $64.25. Len Buckley signature label.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is seen as a full-body figure, dressed in a flowing gown, and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she presents a welcoming open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2004.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps clockwise around the top of the design and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR wrap counterclockwise around the bottom.

Edge:

The edge of the 2004 American Silver Eagle bullion coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

* * *

The post 2004 American Silver Eagle : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
1974 was an interesting year in American numismatic history. The country was putting the finishing touches on its planned Bicentennial celebrations and the United States Mint was gearing up to produce a range of commemorative coins and medals to mark the occasion. The year would also mark the final Blue and Brown Pack silver-clad Ike Dollar issues, and the Mint was hard at work contemplating the future of the country’s longest-serving denomination, the cent.

From 1971 to 1974, cent production increased dramatically, exacerbating a trend that began in the mid-1960s when the Mint transitioned from silver to clad coinage. Cent demand was so high by the late ’60s, that the Mint resumed production of circulating cent coinage at the San Francisco Assay Office in 1968. By 1974, demand for cents had gotten so high that the Mint began to use the West Point Bullion Depository to strike them as well. By the end of the year, West Point would contribute 128,957,523 cents toward Philadelphia’s reported mintage of 4,232,140,523.

The West Point cents carry no mintmark and, as far as we know, cannot be differentiated from coins struck at Philadelphia. If original unopened mint bags of 1974 cents are ever located and can be traced to the facility, we would expect these coins to bring significant premiums over their Philadelphia Mint counterparts and that the third-party certification industry would identify the coins as 1974 (W).

Complicating matters was a trend of volatility in the copper market.

Copper prices rose by 43% from 1969 to 1970 before erasing most of those gains by the start of ’71. From 1971 to ’74, however, copper prices rose year to year, reaching almost 86 cents a pound at the start of ’74.

To address this issue, the Mint investigated ways to lower the cost of cent production, settling on a 96% aluminum alloy as a possible replacement to bronze.

In total, the Mint struck approximately 1.5 million 1974-dated aluminum cents at the end of 1973. On March 27, the coins were reviewed by the Consumer Affairs subcommittee of the House of Representatives. After extended deliberation and pressure from the vending industry, Congress rejected the aluminum alloy, but did (October 11) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce the amount of copper in the cent. By the end of 1974, copper prices receded to an acceptable level and the bronze alloy remained in use through the rest of the decade.

In 1982, the issue would be revisited and a new alloy made of copper-plated zinc would replace the bronze cent.

How Much Is the 1974 Lincoln Cent Worth?

Uncirculated Brown or Muted Red (Red Brown) Philly business strikes in high Mint State (above MS65) can sell for between $10 and $15. Unless these coins are spectacularly toned, they have no foreseeable upside and should be avoided as a sufficient number of vibrant Red examples survive.

In full Mint State Red, MS65 examples have a value of between $10 and $20. The value of the 1974 Lincoln Cent edges up by a few dollars in MS66 Red. Our expected value of a coin in this grade is between $20 and $30 – more or less equivalent to the cost of submitting the coin for grading. 1974 cents have a larger premium in MS67 Red. One excellent example was sold in March 2020 at a David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) online auction for $90.

PCGS and NGC report a combined population of 28 coins in MS68 Red (NGC has one finer; see below). These coins sell for thousands of dollars. Just a half step down in MS67+ Red, examples sell for hundreds.

As for the value of the priceless 1974 Aluminum Cent patterns? This is a question we are asked quite frequently at CoinWeek. It is nearly impossible to quantify how unlikely it is that an authentic example heretofore unknown by the numismatic community would turn up, but it is possible. Of the 1.5 million examples struck, 11 are believed to be outstanding. Of that 11, only two are known.

One is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s Value of Money exhibit and is permanently impounded in the National Numismatic Collection, a donation of the United States Mint. The second example was discovered in 1973, reportedly by U.S. Capitol Police Officer Albert Toven. According to the story, the coin was dropped by a government official after a Congressional hearing on the efficacy of replacing the bronze alloy with an aluminum alloy. When Toven offered it back to the official, the official told Toven he could keep it.

This story has been published and repeated multiple times throughout the years but has all of the earmarks of a cover story. One told to “legalize” the private ownership of a pattern coin that was not officially released to the public. This example remains in private hands and was authenticated by PCGS in October 2005 and given the grade MS62. The value of this example likely exceeds six figures, but given its legally questionable status, a potential buyer would be advised to exercise caution when making an offer or placing a bid, as a protracted legal fight over the status of a privately held 1974-D Aluminum Cent resulted in the coin being returned to the Federal Government.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Since November 2024, the PGC MS68RD and the NGC MS68+RD populations have remained unchanged.

Top Population: PCGS MS68RD (5, 5/2025), NGC MS68+RD (1, 5/2025), and CAC MS66RD (0:2 stickered:graded, 5/2025).

• NGC MS68+RD #6605092-001: GreatCollections, June 2, 2024, Lot 1168151 – View.

• PCGS MS68RD #50497514: GreatCollections, October 6, 2024, Lot 1593162 – View. Secure Shield holder.
• NGC MS68RD #6604116-003: GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1168533 – View.
• NGC MS68RD #6604017-002: GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1168511 – View.
• NGC MS68RD #6604294-003: GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1168178 – View.
• NGC MS68RD #6604485-004: GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1168152 – View.
• NGC MS68RD #6604784-002: GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1168150 – View.

• PCGS MS67+RD #48756078: GreatCollections, May 19, 2024, Lot 1580555 – View. Secure Shield holder.
• NGC MS67+RD #6604144-002: GreatCollections, August 13, 2023, Lot 1168154 – View; GreatCollections, February 11, 2024, Lot 1526029 – View.
• PCGS MS67+RD #38595742: GreatCollections, July 2, 2023, Lot 1340795 – View.
• PCGS MS67+RD #38909199: GreatCollections, June 18, 2023, Lot 1340148 – View.
• NGC MS67+RD #6604420-002: GreatCollections, June 4, 2023, Lot 1169092 – View.
• PCGS MS67+RD #25392786: David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC), January 29, 2023, Lot 4086 – $300; Heritage, May 9, 2023, Lot 23119 – $576.
• NGC MS67+RD #6073396-001: Heritage, October 25, 2022, Lot 27069 – $149.
• PCGS MS67+RD #82925960: Legend Rare Coin Auctions, August 27, 2020, Lot 32 – $910.63; Heritage, December 8, 2020, Lot 23158 – $800.40; Heritage, January 5, 2021, Lot 21153 – $630.
• PCGS MS67+RD #38206840: Stack’s Bowers, December 21, 2020, Lot 3218 – $192.

• PCGS MS67RD #04549918: GreatCollections, July 28, 2024, Lot 1621030 – View. Ex: Jack Lee, “Jack Lee” on insert.

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Design

Obverse:

The obverse of the 1974 Lincoln Cent was designed by Victor David Brenner and appears largely as it did when the type was first minted in 1909. The main difference on the 1974 obverse versus the 1909 version is the location of Brenners’ initials, V.D.B., which were added under President Abraham Lincoln’s bust in 1918 after their removal from the reverse in late 1909. The date 1974 appears to the right of Lincoln, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears above. To the left of the 16th president is the word LIBERTY.

Reverse:

Frank Gasparro designed the 1959 Lincoln Memorial reverse that replaced the original 1909 Brenner wheat stalk design. Gasparro’s initials FG appear on the lower-right side of the Memorial. Below the edifice and along the rim is the denomination ONE CENT, while the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA runs along the top half of the reverse along the rim. Between the top of the Lincoln Memorial and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Edge:

The edge of the 1974 Lincoln Cent is plain or smooth, without reeding or edge lettering.

Designers

Lithuanian-born coin designer Victor David Brenner is best known for his iconic design for the Lincoln cent (1909-Present) (View Designer’s Profile).

Frank Gasparro was an American medalist and coin designer. After serving as an assistant engraver to Gilroy Roberts, he became the 10th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, serving from 1965-1981. Besides the Lincoln Cent Memorial Reverse, Gasparro also designed the Eisenhower Dollar obverse and regular reverse, and Susan B Anthony Dollar. He retired from the Mint on January 16, 1981 (View Designer’s Profile).

1974 Lincoln Memorial Cent Coin Specifications

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The post 1974 Lincoln Memorial Cent : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
In 2006, the United States Mint added a second gold bullion coin to its precious metals portfolio. Authorized by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (PDF link), the American Gold Buffalo was the Mint’s first .9999 fine gold coin. Just as the American Eagle Gold coin adapted a venerated design from the Mint’s past, the American Buffalo brought back James Earle Fraser’s iconic Buffalo Nickel design.

While no new program is guaranteed to succeed, the Mint had reasons to believe that the Gold Buffalo would be well received after a 2001 silver commemorative coin bearing Fraser’s work sold out of its authorized 500,000 coin mintage in just 15 days.

The first American Buffalo gold coins rolled off the press on June 20, 2006, at the West Point Mint and were available for purchase on June 22. Demand for the new design was markedly higher than demand for that year’s American Gold Eagle. For the 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof, the Mint set a mintage limit of 250,000. The final mintage of 246,267 represents that total minus returns.

Collecting the 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof

To date, the 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof has the highest mintage of any Proof issue in the series and should be considered a common date. The coin is frequently offered for sale in online auctions in its original government packaging or as a certified coin.

Should one buy a raw or certified coin? There are benefits exclusive to both, and so long as the first point of purchase is the U.S. Mint or a nationally known dealer, the raw version is perfectly acceptable. A benefit to the certified version is the streamlined storage capability of the coin holder, the trackable certification number, and the guarantee of authenticity. Counterfeit 2006-W American Buffalo Gold Proof coins exist in raw and “fake” slab form. Exercise due diligence before making any purchase.

As to whether Proof 70 coins carry better financial upside than 69s, we are less certain. The grade distribution of 69/70 at NGC and PCGS is wildly divergent, and as the services have certified only 20% of the total mintage, the number of 70s is certain to increase (maybe even double) in coming years. Assume any well-cared-for raw coin is a shot 70 and price accordingly.

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2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

The PCGS PR70DCAM population has increased from 6,882 to 6,960 since November 2024, while CAC has added six coins to their tally. Over the course of the same period, the NGC population of PF70UCAM coins has declined from 21,121 to 21,086, probably due to crossovers to other services.

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (6,960, 11/2024), NGC PF70UCAM (21,086, 11/2024), and CAC PR70DCAM (74, 11/2024).

• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, May 8, 2025 – $3,800. 10 Bids. Anna Babral signature label.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 30, 2025 – $3,803.49. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 26, 2025 – $3,950. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $4,598. Buy It Now.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $3,800. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, October 24, 2024 – $3,295.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, October 21, 2024 – $3,190. Mike Castle signature label.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, October 18, 2024 – $3,080. Rhett Jeppson signature label.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, October 15, 2024 – $2,970.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, October 15, 2024 – $3,080.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, October 12, 2024 – $2,855.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, September 30, 2024 – $3,400. Ed Moy signature label.

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Design

Obverse:

A realistic portrait of a mature Native American male faces to the right and is slightly offset to the left. The figure wears two feathers in his hair, fixed in a braid over his right ear. The date is raised and positioned on the shoulder. An incuse letter F for Fraser’s last name appears below the final numeral of the date. In the field to the right of the figure’s forehead and nose, wrapping inside the rim, is the word LIBERTY. The W mintmark of the West Point Mint is located over the Indian’s shoulder in the lower left obverse field.

Reverse:

A full figure of an American buffalo faces to the left. The animal is depicted standing on the ground. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are artfully placed over the buffalo, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST positioned above the ground to the left. Written in incuse lettering on the mound is the face value $50, the coin’s weight 1 OZ, and metal fineness .9999 FINE GOLD.

Edge:

The edge of the 2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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The post 2006-W American Gold Buffalo Proof : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes ….
 

In 2017, the United States Mint celebrated the 225th anniversary of its creation with the construction of the Philadelphia Mint as authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. The highlight of the Mint’s celebrations was the 2017 American Liberty Proof Gold Coin.

Part of a new series of coins and medals that showcase a modern take on Lady Liberty, the $100 face value gold coin features Liberty portrayed as a confident and youthful African American woman. This is the first time that Liberty has been explicitly depicted as an African American; Hettie Anderson, an African American woman from South Carolina, served as the model for Liberty on the $20 Double Eagle gold coin designed by American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, but Liberty there is not expressly African American.

The first coin in the series was released in 2015, with it companion silver medal arriving in 2016. The 2017 version was released on April 6 of this year. A Proof finish silver medal from Philadelphia was released individually on June 14, and a four-medal set was issued on October 19. The set features a Proof medal from San Francisco bearing the “S” mintmark; a Reverse Proof medal from Philadelphia bearing a “P” mintmark; an Uncirculated medal from the Denver Mint, complete with “D” mintmark; and an Enhanced Uncirculated (laser frosted) medal from West Point (“W”).

How Much Is the 2017-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin Worth?

The United States Mint released the 2017-W American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin on April 6, 2017, at an issue price of $1,640 ($2,152 in 2025 inflation-adjusted dollars). At the time of the coin’s release, gold spot price was around $1,250 an ounce ($1,639). With gold hovering around $3,200 an ounce at the time of this writing, we can see that the the value of the 2017-W American Liberty High Relief Gold coin in Proof 70 DCAM is approximately $3,800, which is spot + a 20% premium. This premium is slightly smaller than the Mint’s initial surcharge, but the significant increase in the value of gold has made this coin a winner for those who purchased the coin at or near the April 2017 launch.

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2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (3,658, 5/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (4,905, 5/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (181, 5/2025).

• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 28, 2025 – $3,965. Buy It Now.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 24, 2025 – $3,950. Mike Castle signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 24, 2025 – $3,683.34. Buy It Now.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, April 21, 2025 – $3,649. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 16, 2025 – $4,300. Thomas Cleveland signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, April 18, 2025 – $3,915. First Day of Issue label.

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Design

Obverse:

The obverse design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Justin Kunz; his initials JK are next to Liberty’s right shoulder. Kunz’s Liberty faces left and features braided hair that has been tied back in a bun and crowned by a diadem of four large stars. Unusual at first glance, the diadem is based on a similar piece that adorns 19th-century sculptor Thomas Crawford’s Statue of Freedom (1857-62), which stands atop the dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The design was adapted and engraved by Mint sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill. Her initials, an italicized PH, are found to Liberty’s left.

The year 1792–the first part of the coin’s dual date–is inscribed on the left side while the year 2017 is inscribed on the right. Otherwise, the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST are found at the top and the bottom of the obverse, respectively.

Reverse:

The reverse, which features an American bald eagle on the downstroke flying from left to right, was designed by AIP artist Chris Costello and engraved by Mint sculptor Michael Gaudioso. Costello’s initials CTC are at the bottom of the coin next to the West Point (W) mintmark, and Gauidoso’s initials MG are between the tips of the eagle’s left wing and the S in 100 DOLLARS.

Inscriptions on the American Liberty 225th Anniversary gold coin include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, the face value of 100 DOLLARS, the W mintmark, and 1 OZ .9999 FINE GOLD.

Edge:

The edge of the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin features the legend * 225^th ANNIVERSARY repeated three times counterclockwise around the coin in raised lettering. The rim on both sides of the coin is relatively thick.

Controversy

Some collectors expressed their dislike of the design, which features a young African American woman on the obverse. Certain aesthetic choices (Liberty’s hair and hairstyle, or the outsized stars on her diadem, for example) received special criticism. Other collectors–by no means a large number–complained that the coin represents politically correct “pandering” to a specific ethnic group, and for that reason is not a good choice to portray the allegorical Lady Liberty, who is supposed to represent all Americans.

Counter to this are those who have embraced the coin because of its overall artistic excellence – as well as African Americans and others who have historically been under-represented on our nation’s money. No one expects a coin to solve the United States’ problems with race or the ongoing struggle to define what values we as Americans hold dear. Nevertheless, the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary gold coin is part of a series of modern interpretations of Lady Liberty, a reflection of the country’s people and her contemporary values.

Designers

Designer Justin Kunz is a participant in the United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP), and has made several contributions to the Mint’s recent selection of commemorative and collector coins. He has also done design work for the game World of Warcraft.

Sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill joined the U.S. Mint in 2006, and since that time has become one of the nation’s most prolific coin designers (View Designer’s Profile).

Designer and U.S. Mint AIP artist Chris Costello is responsible for numerous contemporary sides from the Mint, including commemoratives, America the Beautiful Quarters and First Spouse gold coins. But his claim to pop-cultural fame is as the inventor of the Papyrus font.

Engraver Michael Gaudioso joined the Mint in 2009. He studied art at the New York Academy Graduate School of Figurative Art in New York City and sculpture at the Repin Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia (View Designer’s Profile).

2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin Proof Coin Specifications

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The post 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin Proof appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The Proof American Silver Eagle debuted in 1986, and with the expectation of only one year (2009), Proofs have been struck each year since. Eagle Proofs with the Heraldic Eagle (Type 1) reverse of designer John Mercanti reverse (1986-2021) were produced at three branch mints. From 1986 to 1992, Proofs were struck at San Francisco, while Philadelphia struck Proofs from 1993 to 2000. In 1995, as a one-off, the United States Mint produced a limited number of American Silver Eagle Proofs at West Point. This coin, the 1995-W American Silver Eagle Proof, was packaged along with that year’s four Proof American Gold Eagles. With the set priced beyond most collectors’ means, that coin quickly became the key to the series.

Starting in 2001, the production of Proof American Silver Eagles resumed at West Point, but this time permanently. Proof strikings produced at the West Point Mint carry the “W” mintmark below the olive branch on the coin’s reverse.

During this third period, 2001-2021, American Silver Eagle Proofs saw stronger sales than in the previous two. At this time, the U.S. Mint also made collecting American Silver Eagles more complicated by broadening the offerings of its collector versions with three new finishes: Burnished Uncirculated, Reverse Proof, and Enhanced Reverse Proof.

The Mint released the 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof on June 5 of that year and sold 647,342 pieces from a published production limit of 750,000. The coins were sold for $24 ($42.56 in 2024 dollars).

The Growing Certified Population of 2002-W American Silver Eagles

The certified coin market has transformed the collecting of modern coins. Collectors appreciate the grading opinion of the services, the ability to look up and verify their coins, as well as the various label designs that the services produce for their marketer clients. The total number of certified 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proofs has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, rising from 26,684 in 2014 to 47,629 as of June 20, 2024. The typical assigned grade for the issue is Proof 69 Deep Cameo/Ultra Cameo, although “perfect” 70s are not scarce and have consistently been graded by NGC and PCGS.

How Much Are 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof Coins Worth?

The 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof has seen slight declines in its numismatic value in recent years due to inflation. Examples graded Proof 69 by either NGC or PCGS would routinely sell for $46 to $54 a decade ago, according to data compiled by CoinWeek. To keep up with inflation, today’s prices would have to fall in the $62 to $72 range. However, eBay prices realized compiled March through June 2024 show a price range of $50 to $65. The Guide Book reports ridiculous prices of $125 for the issue, as well as other coins of the era. This price level exists to support the marketers and is not truly reflective of the secondary market.

While there are benefits to choosing certified examples over specimens in original government packaging, there is no price difference between the two. In Proof 70, the 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof is easily acquired and carries a premium of about $20-$30 over the price of a Proof 69. Signature labels signed by John Mercanti (NGC and PCGS) consistently outperform other “products” offered by grading services and modern coin marketing companies.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (5,132, 4/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (7,953, 4/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (44, 4/2025).

• NGC PR70UCAM #6091751-012: Stack’s Bowers, January 15, 2025, Lot 90734 – $105.
• NGC PR70UCAM #1546732-006: Stack’s Bowers, August 7, 2024, Lot 96382 – $125.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #39589239: Stack’s Bowers, July 24, 2024, Lot 94787 – $125.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #16207038: eBay, June 19, 2024 – $85.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #35884329: eBay, June 19, 2024 – $132.50. John Mercanti signature label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #4264565-003: eBay, June 18, 2024 – $90.87.
• NGC PF70UCAM #113449-002: eBay, June 15, 2024 – $116.99.
• NGC PF70UCAM #6305072-072: eBay, June 10, 2024 – $153.50. John Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #37389322: eBay, June 9, 2024 – $77.

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Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s figure of Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is seen as a full-body figure, dressed in a flowing gown and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she reaches out and presents a welcoming and open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the word LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s outstretched rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2002.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work. Weinman’s Liberty Walking design quickly became one of America’s most iconic numismatic images. It would be used with minor modifications on the American Silver Eagle coin starting in 1986.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend (top) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is wrapped around the design and the fineness and denomination (bottom) 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR. The W mintmark appears below the olive branch.

Edge:

The edge of the 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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The post 2002-W American Silver Eagle Proof : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Program limped into 2015 with four First Ladies that were still familiar to most of the “Baby Boomer” customers that Congress envisioned would be interested in a 30-plus-piece, 1/2-ounce, 99.99% pure gold coin series that would be a companion to the base-metal Presidential Dollar coin series.

On May 7, 2015, the United States Mint issued the 2015 Mamie Eisenhower $10 Gold Coin. It was the year’s second issue and had a maximum authorized mintage of 10,000 across all ordering options. The coin was struck at the West Point Mint and carries the “W” mintmark. It came in two finishes: Proof and Uncirculated.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

As a 1/2-ounce, 99.99% pure gold coin, most of the 2015-W Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse $10 gold coin’s value is tied to the spot price of gold. This can be seen with the most recent sale reported on eBay.

Since October 2024, the PCGS and CAC populations of MS70 coins have remained unchanged, while the NGC census has decreased from 250 to 249.

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (357, 4/2025). NGC MS70 (249, 4/2025). CAC MS70 (1, 4/2025).

• PCGS MS70: eBay, February 25, 2025 – $1,799.95. Buy It Now. First Strike label.
• PCGS MS70: Heritage Auctions, July 1, 2024, Lot 52082 – $1,200. First Strike label.
• PCGS MS70: Heritage Auctions, October 9, 2023, Lot 51177 – $990. First Strike Label.
• NGC MS70: GreatCollections, July 7, 2024, Lot 1412305 – View. First Spouse Series label.
• PCGS MS70: GreatCollections, August 13, 2023, Lot 1323369 – View.
• PCGS MS70: GreatCollections, February 19, 2023, Lot 1313820 – View.
• NGC MS70: GreatCollections, August 23, 2020, Lot 873161 – View.
• NGC MS70: Heritage Auctions, December 14, 2018, Lot 8379 – $720. Mike Castle American Flag signature label (#697).
• NGC MS70: Heritage Auctions, December 14, 2018, Lot 8380 – $720. Mike Castle American Flag signature label (#697).
• PCGS MS70: Heritage Auctions, November 4, 2017, Lot 20657 – $810. First Strike label.

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Design

Obverse:

A right-facing bust of Mamie Eisenhower. Wrapping around the top of the coin is her name, MAMIE EISENHOWER. Around the bottom is the inscription 34th 1953-1961. To the left of Mrs. Eisenhower is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. To the right is the word LIBERTY and the date 2015. The W mintmark of the West Point Mint is situated below the date. At the back of the bust truncation are the initials RAM for designer Richard Masters. Parallel to the tip of the front of the bust truncation are the initials JFM for sculptor Joseph Menna.

Reverse:

The coin’s central design motif is framed within a circle. A hand, possibly belonging to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, holds a button aloft. The button reads I LIKE MAMIE.

During the presidential campaign of 1952, Mamie Eisenhower was seen wearing a button that reads “IKE LIKES ME” (a playful rejoinder to the campaign’s “I LIKE IKE” slogan). In response, on June 12, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was photographed pinning an I LIKE MAMIE button to his jacket at a New York campaign event. To the left of the hand are the designer’s initials BF for Barbara Fox. On the far right, the initials RG for Renata Gordon. Outside of the circle, wrapping around the coin’s rim, is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the top, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM at the bottom left, and the denomination, weight, and fineness $10 1/2 OZ .9999 FINE GOLD along the bottom half of the rim.

Edge:

The edge of the 2015-W Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse $10 Uncirculated gold coin is reeded.

Designers

Richard Masters studied design at the University of Iowa and became an art professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, from which position he retired in 2015. Masters has participated in the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) since it began in 2004.

Joseph Menna has created dozens of coin and medal designs since joining the Mint in 2005 (View Designer’s Profile). He became Chief Engraver in February 2019.

Before joining the United States Mint, engraver Barbara Fox worked as a commercial artist (View Designer’s Profile). Mint artist Renata Gordon joined the engraving department in 2011 (View Designer’s Profile).

A graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Medallic Artist Renata Gordon created several designs for the First Spouse and America the Beautiful Quarters programs (View Designer’s Profile).

Coin Specifications

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The post 2015-W Mamie Eisenhower First Spouse $10 Gold Coin Uncirculated : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

In 2012, the United States Mint offered three Proof versions of the American Silver Eagle: the 2012-W American Silver Eagle Proof, the 2012-S American Silver Eagle Proof, and the 2012-S American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof. The 2012-S Reverse Proof was issued as part of the American Eagle San Francisco Two-Coin Silver Proof Set along with the 2012-S Proof, which was also part of the Making American History Coin and Currency Set.

The 2012-W Proof was the regular issue, offered for $59.95 retail when it was put on sale starting on April 12. Without a mintage limit, collectors purchased 877,731 examples, either as singles or part of the Limited Edition Silver Proof Set. In August, as silver prices declined, the U.S. Mint reduced the cost of the 2012-W American Silver Eagle Proof to $54.95.

How Much Is the 2012-W American Silver Eagle Worth?

Adjusting for inflation, the 2012-W American Silver Eagle’s reduced 2012 offer price of $54.95 works out to $77.35 in 2025. Unfortunately for collectors and investors, the 2012-W Proof has not yielded a positive return. The average price realized on eBay from June 2024 to September 2024 is $65 for a raw example and $70 for examples graded PR69DCAM. “Perfect” 70s go for a nominal premium, with many recent examples selling for as low as $80.

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2012-W American Silver Eagle Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (9,191, 4/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (22,063, 4/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (104, 4/2025).

• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $124.99 of Best Offer. John Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 28, 2025 – $71. 10 bids. First Strike label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #3620944-242: eBay, March 27, 2025 – $139.97. Buy It Now. West Point Gold Star label, Early Releases.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 26, 2025 – $158. Best Offer. MGC 25th Anniversary label. Black core.
• NGC PF70UCAM #2579190-007: eBay, August 30, 2024 – $113. First Releases label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #3620201-414: eBay, August 29, 2024 – $70. Early Releases label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #3619948-041: eBay, August 29, 2024 – $110. Early Releases label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #3621203-071: eBay, August 29, 2024 – $80.
• NGC PF70UCAM #362267-076: eBay, August 26, 2024 – $79. First Releases label.
• NGC PF70UCAM #5761031-093: eBay, August 25, 2024 – $79.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #28866722: eBay, August 22, 2024 – $70.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #24979741: eBay, August 16, 2024 – $96.85.

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Design

Obverse:

Early 20th-century artist Adolph A. Weinman’s figure of Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is dressed in a flowing gown and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she presents a welcoming open hand. The upper portion of Liberty is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY, obscuring half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2012.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The W mintmark for the West Point Mint is under the claw with the olive branch, and Mercanti’s initials are beneath the claw with the arrows. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is wrapped clockwise around the top of the design and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR is cradled counterclockwise at the bottom.

Edge:

The edge of the 2012-W American Silver Eagle Proof coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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The post 2012-W American Silver Eagle Proof : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The financial crisis that hit at the end of 2007 continued through June 2009. To overcome the economic fallout from the housing crisis, the Obama Administration expanded on the policies that Treasury Secretary Henry “Hank” Paulson rolled out at the end of President George W. Bush’s second term. As a result of these economic concerns–plus stock market and real estate losses, and fears of too much government spending–the market for precious metals assets exploded.

Some cynically saw the change in administrations as a way to launder culpability for the crisis, and conservative radio show hosts like Glenn Beck and others heavily promoted gold ownership thanks to the tremendous amount of cash that precious metals market makers were spending on radio and television ads. Yet fears that the Obama Administration would enact anti-colonial socialist policies that would trigger hyperinflation were laughably overblown. At best, Obama was center-right of his electorate and pursued cautious policies that slowed the economic recovery.

The United States Mint saw record demand for its American Eagle bullion coins, and the 2008-W American Silver Eagle Proof went on sale on January 3 at an issue price of $31.95 (about $48.30 in 2025 inflation-adjusted dollars). Demand for the bullion version exceeded 20 million, which strained the Mint’s ability to keep up. In August, the Mint suspended the sales of the Proof version and would not offer Proof or Burnished American Silver Eagles in 2009.

* * *

2008-W American Silver Eagle Proof Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (7,695, 3/2025), NGC PF70UCAM (26,095, 3/2025), and CAC PR70DCAM (121, 3/2025).

• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $150. Buy It Now.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $51. 11 Bids.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 30, 2025 – $69. 4 Bids.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 28, 2025 – $99. Buy It Now.
• NGC PF70UCAM: eBay, March 28, 2025 –  $73, 11 Bids.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 25, 2025 – $130. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 24, 2025 – $199. John Mercanti signature label. Buy It Now.
• PCGS PR70DCAM: eBay, March 22, 2025 – $71. 17 Bids.
• NGC PF70UCAM: Stack’s Bowers, January 15, 2025, Lot 90735 – $85.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s figure of Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is dressed in a flowing gown and draped with a large billowing American flag. Liberty holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As she strides confidently towards the rising sun, Liberty reaches out a welcoming open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her in the exergue is the date 2008.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend (top) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is wrapped around the design and the fineness and denomination (bottom) 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR. The W mintmark of the West Point Mint is located under the branch.

Edge:

The edge of the 2008-W American Silver Eagle Proof coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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The post 2008-W American Silver Eagle Proof : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

Starting in 2006, the United States Mint added a special strike American Silver Eagle with a “Burnished” finish to its product portfolio. Aimed at the collector market, the Burnished coin has a premium uncirculated finish and is struck with the West Point Mint’s “W” mintmark. Although seemingly similar, the Burnished versions are produced using a special process whereby blanks are first treated in a Spaleck machine, where tiny balls polish the surfaces. Then, the coins are hand-fed one at a time into a specially adapted coin press, resulting in a coin with a matte finish. Another key differentiator between the Burnished American Silver Eagle and the bullion strike counterpart is the presence of a mintmark.

The Mint offered the 2007-W American Silver Eagle at an issue price of $21.95 ($34.06 in 2024 dollars). In total, 621,333 coins were sold, making the 2007-W Burnished the most plentiful American Silver Eagle produced with this finish. Collector enthusiasm for the Burnished versions declined for the 2008 release, after which the Mint put the offering on hiatus until 2011.

How Much Is the 2007-W Burnished American Silver Eagle Worth?

Silver reached an average spot price of $13.38 in 2007 and the United States Mint’s sales price marked a premium of about 64% over spot. Today, raw coins sell for an average price of about $55 each, an 87% increase over spot. The Mint’s decision to release the series intermittently is a reflection of the sales numbers. Some collectors bristled at the complication of a series that launched in 1986 with just Proof and Bullion versions. These complaints would be further fueled when the Mint introduced Reverse Proofs, Enhanced Uncirculated versions, and Enhanced Reverse Proofs. The grading services added to this glut by promoting special label programs and applying parenthetical mintmarks on bullion strike coins.

The certified market for the 2007-W Burnished American Silver Eagle is largely driven by mass marketers. NGC and PCGS combined have graded over 44,000 coins in “perfect” 70, and over 100,000 in 69. These certification figures are more in line with what one would expect to see for a common date Morgan Dollar. In fact, it is around this time when we believe the American Silver Eagle overtook the Morgan Dollar as one of the most heavily promoted coins in the industry.

Coins graded MS69 or SP69 retail for roughly the same price as raw coins, but on sites like eBay, one finds no shortage of 69s selling for $4 or $5 over spot. Mint State 70s typically trade for well under $100. Despite this, the certified population of the 2007-W Burnished American Silver Eagle continues to rise, with about 1,000 coins added to the 70 population each year. NGC continues to receive the most submissions, outpacing PCGS for this date by a 2:1 margin.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Between this update in late March 2025 and our last update in July 2024, CAC has jumped from four to 101 examples graded (SP)70. As the newest full-service grading company among the major three, this is not a surprising development. Additionally, PCGS has added 21 grading events to its top-pop grade, and NGC has certified 221 more.

Top Population: PCGS SP70 (10,486, 3/2025), NGC MS70 (34,068, 3/2025), and CAC SP70 (101, 3/2025).

• NGC MS70 #6594648-003: eBay, March 24, 2025 – $74.95.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, March 23, 2025 – $100. First Strike label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, March 8, 2025 – $96. John M. Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS MS70 #33059833: eBay, February 25, 2025 – $151.20. John M. Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS MS70 #44616063: eBay, February 19, 2025 – $119.99.
• CAC MS70: eBay, January 11, 2025 – $58.
• NGC MS70 #3141927-024: eBay, June 29, 2024 – $95.
• NGC MS70 #6575304-037: eBay, June 28, 2024 – $100.01.
• NGC MS70 #2208525-086: eBay, June 28, 2024 – $55. Early Releases label.
• PCGS SP70 #49129879: eBay, June 26, 2024 – $71.98.
• NGC MS70 #3141927-004: eBay, June 25, 2024 – $52.
• PCGS SP70 #46616061: eBay, June 22, 2024 – $56.
• PCGS MS70 #13489794: eBay, June 22, 2024 – $75. First Strike label.

* * *

Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s figure of Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is seen as a full-body figure, dressed in a flowing gown, and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she reaches out and presents a welcoming and open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s outstretched rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2007.

Weinman’s Liberty Walking design quickly became one of America’s most iconic numismatic images. Still, it does bear a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Weinman’s design would be used with minor modifications on the American Silver Eagle bullion coin starting in 1986.

Reverse:

The Heraldic Eagle of United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend (top) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is wrapped around the design and the fineness and denomination (bottom) 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR. The W mintmark is below the branch.

Edge:

The edge of the 2007-W American Silver Eagle burnished coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

* * *

The post 2007-W Burnished American Silver Eagle : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.