2014 Proof Set of 90% America the Beautiful Silver Quarters

New from the United States Mint is its annually issued proof set with 90% America the Beautiful Silver Quarters.

Officially dubbed the 2014 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™, it went on sale beginning at Noon (Eastern) on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.

This release marks the fifth silver proof set containing just the year’s strikes of America the Beautiful Quarters. Two weeks ago, on Jan. 7, the US Mint released the non-silver, clad set of 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters for $14.95.

All five 90% silver coins in this latest proof set are encased in a single protective lens and feature reverse designs honoring national parks. Specially, the silver coins include the:

• 2014-S Great Smoky Mountains National Park Silver Quarter (Tennessee)
• 2014-S Shenandoah National Park Silver Quarter (Virginia)
• 2014-S Arches National Park Silver Quarter (Utah)
• 2014-S Great Sand Dunes National Park Silver Quarter (Colorado)
• 2014-S Everglades National Park Silver Quarter (Florida)

All are produced at the US Mint in San Francisco and bear ‘S’ mintmarks.

These silver coins represent the twenty-first through twenty-fifth designs in the series of America the Beautiful Quarters. The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010 and includes five new releases annually with each showcasing a different reverse design that is emblematic of a national site from the 50 states, the District of Columbia or one of the five US territories.

Silver Weight, Melt Value and Ordering Details

The complete proof set of five 90% silver coins equates to approximately 0.904 ounces of the precious metal. At a silver spot of $20 an ounce, this gives the five silver quarters an approximate total melt value of $18.08.

For the set, the US Mint plans to initially charge $31.95, plus its standard shipping and handling charge of $4.95 per order. This equates to a premium over spot of about $13.87. The premium is standard practice for collector-grade products from the Mint as the coins are sought after for the numismatic value in addition to any associated melt value.

The debut price does reflect a decrease from what the US Mint initially charged for last year’s annual set, owing to a depressed precious metal market. When the 2013 ATB Quarters Silver Proof Set was issued, it originally sold for $41.95. At the time, silver was trading for just over $30 an ounce.

Orders for the 2014 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set may be placed directly with the bureau via its website of www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Each proof set includes illustrated packaging which highlights the sites honored on the coins within.