2011-W American Silver Eagle Uncirculated Coin Available

The United States Mint began selling the collectible 2011-W American Silver Eagle Uncirculated Coin today at Noon (Eastern Time), ending a two year absence.

The Silver Eagles are available directly from the Mint for $60.45 per coin, plus the Mint’s standard shipping and handling charge of $4.95 per order. There are no household order limits in place or a stated maximum mintage.

Each uncirculated coin is struck at the United States Mint facility in West Point, and therefore has the denoting "W" mint mark. The coin is composed of one ounce of 99.9% pure silver and features Adolph A. Weinman’s "Walking Liberty" design on the obverse, just like the associated proof and bullion versions released earlier in the year.

Unlike the bullion coin struck for investors and the proof coin intended for collectors, the uncirculated coin has not been produced by the United States Mint since 2008. Overwhelming demand for the related bullion issue resulted in the cancellation of all collector versions in 2009. The proof coin returned to production last year.

2011-W American Silver Eagle Uncirculated Coins may be obtained directly from the Mint for the aforementioned $60.45 price. Orders may be placed on the United States Mint website at http://catalog.usmint.gov, or through its toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Each coin will ship encapsulated in plastic with a protective box and a certificate of authenticity.

Forthcoming 25th Anniversary American Silver Eagle Set

The return of the uncirculated coin comes at an opportune time as the Mint is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Silver Eagle program. Both the bullion and the proof Eagles made their inaugural appearances in 1986 and were joined in 2006 by the uncirculated coins.

To celebrate the anniversary, the United States Mint announced plans earlier this year for a 25th Anniversary American Silver Eagle Set. This 5-coin set is scheduled to debut in late October and is listed to include one of the West Point uncirculated Eagles along with four other strikes, including:

• a 2011-W Proof American Silver Eagle Proof,
• a 2011-S American Silver Eagle Uncirculated,
• a 2011-P American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof and
• a 2011 American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin

Until that release, collectors will have to be satisfied with obtaining some of the coins individually. The bullion coins are available from local coin and precious metal dealers through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers, and the proof coin is available directly from the Mint for $68.45. The United States Mint has not indicated whether it will individually offer the special reverse proof from Philadelphia or the uncirculated coin from San Francisco.