At Noon (Eastern), today, September 24, 2012, the United States Mint began selling the 2012-P Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin.
Like other currently available strikes of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coin™ series, the new release is being sold for $204.95, plus the Mint’s standard shipping and handling charge of $4.95 per order.
Shown on the reverse of the Hawaii Volcanoes silver coin is a design emblematic of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is the same basic design that is also seen on the reverse of the Hawaii Volcanoes quarter, which was released into circulation on August 27, 2012.,
America the Beautiful silver coins debuted with five 2010-dated strikes. They are issued as the numismatic versions of the Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins which also take their designs originally from the associated quarter series. However, unlike the bullion coins which are struck for investors and sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers, these uncirculated coins are struck for collectors and initially sold directly to the public by the U.S. Mint.
Hawaii Volcanoes Coin Designs and Specifications
Strikes of the America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coin series are each composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver. They have the extremely large diameter of three inches, just like the associated bullion coins.
This coin’s reverse depicts an image of an eruption occurring from the east rift of Kilauea Volcano. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers, the reverse also includes the inscriptions of HAWAII VOLCANOES, HAWAII, 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The obverse of the strike contains the same portrait of George Washington as seen on all America the Beautiful related coins, including the quarters, the bullion coins and these uncirculated coins. The portrait was originally designed by John Flanagan and has been featured (with minor variations) on quarter dollars since 1932. Obverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR.
A ‘P’ mintmark indicating the coin was struck at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Philadelphia is also found on the obverse. Of note, the associated bullion coins do not carry the mintmark despite the fact that they are also struck in Philadelphia.
As both the obverse and reverse inscriptions are identical to the Hawaii Volcanoes quarter, an edge inscription is used to indicated the silver coin’s weight and fineness. This inscription reads .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE.
Current Sales, Mintages and Order Information
Maximum mintage for the new release is listed by the U.S. Mint as 25,000. This is the same mintage cap in place on the preceding three 2012-dated releases of the series. In contrast, the 2010-dated strikes had mintage limits of 27,000 per coin and last year’s 2011 America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coins had mintage caps in place of 35,000.
Not including the newest release, eight 2011 and 2012-dated America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coins are still being sold by the U.S. Mint. The latest sales figures for these coins are offered below:
| Sales of ATB 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins | |
|---|---|
| 2011-P Gettysburg National Military Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 23,419 |
| 2011-P Glacier National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 19,564 |
| 2011-P Olympic National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 17,139 |
| 2011-P Vicksburg National Military Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 17,276 |
| 2011-P Chickasaw National Recreation Area 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 15,545 |
| 2012-P El Yunque National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 13,580 |
| 2012-P Chaco Culture National Historical Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 10,718 |
| 2012-P Acadia National Historical Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin | 10,160 |
Orders for the new release may be made directly from the U.S. Mint via the online product page or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). There are no household ordering limits.
Each coin is encapsulated, placed in a protective outer box, and shipped with a U.S. Mint Certificate of Authenticity.
Upcoming 2012 5 Ounce Silver Coins
Only one more release is scheduled as part of the 2012 America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin series. According to the U.S. Mint, the 2012-P Denali National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin will be released on November 5, 2012.
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