Britannia and Liberty Silver Medal

Likely the next coin (or medal) I will be buying is the silver 2024 Britannia and Liberty. It is a joint collaboration between the U.S. and Royal Mints. It is also available in gold.

According to the U.S. Mint:

Over centuries, the United States and the United Kingdom have become close allies. For the first time, the 2024 Liberty and Britannia Coin and Medal bring the world’s two largest mints together for one joint design collaboration. Representing each Nation equally, the iconic symbols of Liberty and Britannia take center stage on the obverse design. The reverse design includes a Bristlecone Pine and an English Yew separated by the Atlantic Ocean, which represents the connection between our two countries. Don’t miss your chance to own this historical coin and medal.

For more information, go here. 

Gold, Silver Spot Prices Weaker

Above, a 90% silver 1976 Kennedy gem proof half dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gold and silver spot prices started the week yesterday on a downward note. It hasn't gotten any better today (as yet).

Personally, I see this as an opportunity to buy more silver (gold is too overpriced for my taste). COMEX silver spot price is around $23.13/toz as this is written.

From Kitco News:

(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are weaker in early U.S. trading Tuesday. Technical selling is featured in both precious metals as the charts remain in bearish postures. U.S. Treasury yields have been on the rise and are near multi-year highs, while the U.S. dollar index hovers near a 6.5-month high—both bearish outside market elements for the metals. December gold was last down $5.50 at $1,931.10 and December silver was down $0.105 at $23.28.

To read more, go here. 

Silver and Gold Encourage Collectors, Investors

Above, a 2023 American Silver Eagle Proof set. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver's spot price may be down a bit, but that only encourages some of us to buy more of it.

Apparently, I am not the only one who see buying opportunities. The gold and silver prices are encouraging others.

According to Numismatic News:

The market for truly rare coins appears to continue to be on a roll, a roll that will likely reach a new height during the upcoming annual American Numismatic Association convention in August in Pittsburgh. Strong attendance has been reported at two recent regional coin shows despite each having been held in July. Others from whom I haven’t heard likely are experiencing similar attendance.

The stable (and attractive) spot prices of both gold and silver are encouraging collectors as well as investors to buy American Eagle coins. Gold will likely to perform well as long as the dollar continues to demonstrate weakness in world currency markets.

To read more, go here. 

Another Counterfeit Coin Facebook Ad

Above, a screen capture of the ad.

Facebook has been very lax in vetting advertising from so-called silver coin dealers and allowing obvious fraudulent ads appear on the social media platform.

The latest is a scheme to sell alleged proof American Silver Eagle coins with presentation boxes for $9.98 each by a company called Avaliry. This price is way below the current silver spot price of a little over $23.00/toz. 

I bought an American Silver Eagle Proof coin directly from the U.S. Mint at the National Money Show for $80.00. While doing so, the director of the U.S. Mint, Ventris C. Gibson, autographed my purchase.

Above, a real American Silver Eagle proof set signed
by the direct of the U.S. Mint. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Other similar ads have been popping up on Facebook with the same format (under different names) using a video. Some were even offering the "proof" coins for $7.98 each. No doubt these are Chinese counterfeits. 

I have notified Facebook. I am sending this blog post to Doug Davis at the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF).

2023-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Debuts

Above, a 2023-W American Silver Eagle I bought months ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The U.S. Mint has started selling the 2023-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle coins.

According to Coin News:

Last week, on May 25, the United States Mint started selling the 2023-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle for $76.

U.S. Mint sales figures show collectors purchased a total of 117,035 coins in the first four days, making it the Mint’s best weekly seller. As a comparison, last year’s edition opened with five-day starting sales of 143,738 coins.

As a side note, the Mint also reported opening sales of 803 units, or 32,120 coins, of the 40-coin bulk option for dealers last year, bringing the 2022-dated Silver Eagle’s starting total to 175,858. However, this year, the Mint did not publish any bulk sales data for the 2023-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle.

Unfortunately, with the spot price of silver at $23.38/toz (at this writing), $76.00 for an uncirculated coin is a bit pricey. That's a big mark-up! I paid $80.00 for the proof version set at the National Money Show.

What's the difference between these coins and the brilliant uncirculated 2023-W American Silver Eagle coins JM Bullion has been selling for weeks starting at $41.41? (These are the ones I have.) 

Here's the answer: https://libertycoin.com/american-silver-eagle-differences/

To read more, go here.

2023 American Silver Eagle Proof Coin Sales Numbers

Above, the standalone 2023 American Silver Eagle Proof coin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Talk about being at the right place and at the right time.

The U.S. Mint released its 2023-W American Silver Eagle Proof coin on March 2. I attended the National Money Show of the American Numismatic Association in Phoenix on March 4. The U.S. Mint had a booth at the show selling their goods, including the 2023-W American Silver Eagle Proof coin sets.

(For an article by Numismatic News on the U.S. Mint's offerings this year, go here.)

The sales numbers are now out and they are down from last year's sales.

I bought the single standalone coin, which cost $80. It was signed by U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson on the Certificate of Authenticity and on the box lid.

Coin News reported:

Early United States Mint sales figures are in for the 2023-W Proof American Silver Eagle.

Released March 2 in three options, by itself, in 40-coin packs for authorized bulk buyers, and as a part of the 2023 Congratulations Set, the 1-ounce silver coin reached combined sales of 420,199, marking a sizable 37.7% drop from last year’s coin which logged early reported sales of 673,987.

In breaking down the numbers by product, sales through March 5 for the 2023-W Proof Silver Eagle include:

• 335,209 coins for the standalone option (product code 23EA),
• 50,200 coins for the 40-coin bulk option (23EA040) with 1,255 units sold, and
• 34,790 coins as a part of the Congratulations Set (product code 23RF)

Since the economy is dicey right now at best, with a recession possibly looming (some economists say), it is understandable why sales are down.

To read more, go here.

U.S. Mint At West Point, New York

Above, the 2023 American Eagle Proof coin. Note the
"W" below "In God We Trust". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not many people are aware that the U.S. Mint has a facility in West Point, New York near the West Point Military Academy.

The 2023 American Silver Eagle Proof coin I bought last Saturday at the National Money Show is from the West Point Mint.

From Austin Rare Coins & Bullion:

The West Point Mint manufactures the entire family of American Eagle proof and uncirculated coins in gold, silver, and platinum. Gold and Platinum Coins are manufactured in denominations of one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce and tenth -ounce. Silver bullion Coins are manufactured in one-ounce denomination.

Originally, the West Point Bullion Depository was erected in 1937 as a storage facility for Silver Bullion and was nicknamed "The Fort Knox of Silver." From 1973 to 1986, West Point produced cents, and in 1980 began striking Gold medallions.

March 31, 1988 was the date when the American Mint at West Point gained official status as a U.S. Mint. Today it is still a storage facility, but also manufactures, packages and ships Gold and Silver commemorative coins, and American Eagle Bullion coins in proof and uncirculated condition. Its Platinum Eagles have been very popular since their first issuance in 1997. In 2000, it struck the first ever Gold and Platinum Bi-Metallic Coin. There are no public tours at the West Point facility due to its extremely high security.

To read more, go here. 

American Silver Eagle Proof Coin

Above, Mitch and I with Director Ventris C. Gibson. 

While at the National Money Show, Mitch Geriminsky and I met the new (she was confirmed last June by voice vote of the U.S. Senate) Director of the United States Mint, Ventris C. Gibson.

Mitch had met her first at the U.S. Mint's booth at the show. He got this for me from her at the time:

Above, the signed card Mitch Geriminsky got for me. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the U.S. Mint website:

WASHINGTON – On Friday, Ventris C. Gibson took the oath of office as Director of the United States Mint. President Biden nominated Ms. Gibson on December 13, 2021. On May 4, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs advanced her nomination. The full Senate approved the nomination by voice vote on June 15.

Director Gibson becomes the 40th Director of the Mint. She is the first African-American to serve as Director, and the seventh woman to serve in this position.

“I am honored and humbled to be confirmed as Director of the Mint,” said Gibson. “Since joining the Mint last October, I have been tremendously impressed by the dedication and professionalism of its workforce, and the outstanding quality of the circulation coins, bullion coins, and numismatic products made by the Mint.”

Director Gibson is a U.S. Navy veteran who joined the Mint from the District of Columbia government, where she served as the Director of Human Resources. In this role, Ms. Gibson provided executive oversight and execution of human capital programs and services for nearly 37,000 employees. Prior to that, she served as Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She was responsible for the development, articulation, and delivery of Department-wide human resources policies, plans, and programs.

When Mitch went back to the U.S. Mint booth, I went with him and bought the new 2023 American Silver Eagle Proof coin. It was released March 2 and is from the West Point Mint. Director Gibson signed the certificate of authenticity and the coin box for me and posed with Mitch and I for photos. 

Above, the American Silver Eagle Proof coin and other coins
 I got at the National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing on who one can meet and the things one can buy at these shows.

2023 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin (W) Orders Begin March 2

Above, the American Silver Eagle bullion coin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The regular American Silver Eagle bullion coin has been available for a few weeks. I have one already.

Yahoo! Finance has reported that the proof edition will be available for orders on March 2 at $80.00/coin. These are minted at West Point.

They reported:

Washington, DC, Feb. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) will accept orders for the 2023 American Eagle Silver Proof Coin (W) beginning on March 2 at noon EST.  This one ounce proof coin is minted to demand, with orders limited to 25 coins per household for the first 24 hours of sale.

Produced at the United States Mint at West Point since 1986, American Eagle Silver Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins.  These popular silver collectibles were updated in 2021 with a refreshed obverse (heads) and a completely redesigned reverse (tails) to mark the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program.

To read more, go here. 

1976-S 40% Silver Kennedy Half Dollar

Since we have a blizzard outside, I figured it is best to remain indoors today.

Yesterday, a package arrived containing the 1976-S 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollar graded as gem proof. As I mentioned in a post a week or so ago, this was the last coin the U.S. Mint minted in 40% silver. 

Of all of the coins minted to celebrate the nation's bicentennial, the 1976-S Kennedy Half Dollar was the only coin to contain silver. All the others were copper-clad minted. 

After I found this out, I looked around and found a good deal on this one through APMEX.