Grand Canyon and Mount Hood 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Release Dates

The final 2010-P America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins will feature Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon.

The United States Mint will launch the Grand Canyon National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin on June 29, 2011, and the Mount Hood National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin one month later on July 28, 2011. The 2010-P dated five ounce coins were minted last year but all of them have a debuting sales date in 2011.

The two latest silver coins will each have a mintage of 27,000 — just like the Hot Springs, Yellowstone, and Yosemite Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins had, and a one coin per household order limit.

Coin Specifications

The designs on the Grand Canyon coin and the Mount Hood coin match their corresponding America the Beautiful Quarter designs. Both quarters went into circulation last year. Unlike the quarters however, the extra large silver uncirculated coins contain five ounces of .999 fine silver and have impressive three inch diameters. Also, instead of reeded edges like quarters, the silver coins’ edges are incused with .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE.

These coins are also different than the bullion versions that launched last December, because they are intended for collectors. Therefore, they feature a unique finish, bear a mint mark, and come encapsulated inside a protective black box with a Certificate of Authenticity. In addition, they are sold directly by the United States Mint to the public and carry higher premiums. Finally, their 27,000 mintage is less than the 33,000 per design of the 2010-dated bullion versions.

Unless silver prices swing significantly, the uncirculated coin price is expected to be $279.95. Upon their respective launch dates, the United States Mint will accept orders via their website at http://www.usmint.gov/ and their call center at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Grand Canyon National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Design

The Grand Canyon silver coin is the fourth in the America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin series. Nearly five million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year to see its expansive and unique landscape. The canyon measures 277 river miles (446km) long and is 18 miles (29km) wide at its widest point. It is also about one mile deep. The park was first established as a national site on February 20, 1893.

The reverse side of its coin features a view of the granaries above the Nankoweap Delta in Marble Canyon near the Colorado River. Marble Canyon is in the most northern section of the Grand Canyon. The granaries were used for storing food and seeds around A.D. 500. Inscriptions include GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Mount Hood National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Design

The Mount Hood silver coin will be the fifth and last 2010-P dated coin in the America the Beautiful coin series. Mount Hood receives about four million visitors annually to camp, hike, ski or take on virtually any outdoor activity. Historically, pioneers coming to the Oregon Territory passed through the Mount Hood National Forest area on the Oregon Trail, south of Mount Hood. The government first established the forest as a national site on September 28, 1893.

On the coin’s reverse is a classic view of Mount Hood with Lost Lake in the foreground. Inscriptions are MOUNT HOOD, OREGON, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Phebe Hemphill designed and engraved the reverse image for both the Grand Canyon and Mount Hood coins.