2010-P Mount Hood 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Available

The 2010-P Mount Hood National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin went on sale from the United States Mint today, July 28, 2011, at Noon (Eastern Time).

The Mint is offering each of the Mount Hood uncirculated coins for $279.95 with an initial order limit of one coin per household. These strikes are each composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver and feature a reverse design emblematic of Mount Hood National Forest found in the state of Oregon.

A maximum mintage of 27,000 coins has been established by the United States Mint. This is the same mintage cap set for each of the previous four releases of the 2010 America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins which, when combined with the Mount Hood uncirculated coin, represent the inaugural year strikes for the program.

The first release in the series, the 2010-P Hot Springs uncirculated coin, debuted back in April of 2011. It sold out within two weeks. It was followed by the 2010-P Yellowstone uncirculated coin which repeated the quick sell-out. The 2010-P Yosemite uncirculated coin took a bit longer, more than six weeks. But its sell out was prematurely called, which likely hurt it sales for a time. The 2010-P Grand Canyon uncirculated coins look to be headed for a sell-out as well, with their latest sales total as of July 25 standing at 22,785. They were released on June 29.

The "P" in each coin’s name indicates they were produced at the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia, and carry the "P" mintmark. Only the collector five ounce coins feature a mintmark.

The America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin series is struck for collectors from five ounces of silver to a diameter of three inches. The coins are based on the associated America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program which features similar specifications but are struck for investors. Together, these two programs take their designs from yet a third series of coins from the United States Mint, the circulating America The Beautiful Quarters®.

As such, the obverse of each coin features the image of George Washington. This portrait was originally completed by John Flanagan for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar and has been used on quarter-dollars in one form or another ever since.

The reverse of the coins in the program are emblematic of selected sites of interest from around the United States and its territories. In the instance of this specific strike, the reverse honors Mount Hood National Forest of Oregon. It does so with a design completed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill which depicts the massive Mount Hood in the distance with Lost Lake shown in the foreground.

The 2010-P Mount Hood National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin will be encapsulated in a plastic holder protecting its finish and will ship with a black outer box and a certificate of authenticity. Following the first week of sales, the United States Mint will evaluate the household order limit of one coin and remove, extend or adjust it.

Customers interested in ordering the new strikes may do so online at the United States Mint’s website, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, or by calling their toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).