US Mint Updated Release Schedule Includes Silver Coins and Sets

New product release dates have been published by the United States Mint through an update to its online product schedule. More than a dozen products will launch between now and August. A handful of them feature popular silver coins and sets.

Among those in the coin category is the first of the 2012-dated America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins. Three of the five have been added to the release schedule. Those honoring El Yunque National Forest in PR, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in NM and Acadia National Park in ME are expected out on respective dates of May 29, July 9 and August 13.

The U.S. Mint has set prices for each of the silver coins at $204.95, the same amount as the currently for sale 2011-dated issues. For more about the coins, read this recent article.

Next up are 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Silver Dollar Sets. Priced at $53.95 each with a release date of June 1 and limited to 50,000, these sets contain a proof Star Spangled Banner Silver Dollar along with:

• a reproduction of one of Francis Scott Key’s original manuscripts of his poem "The Star-Spangled Banner,"
• the lyrics to the "Star-Spangled Banner," and
• information about the national anthem against artwork showing the battle between U.S. and British forces for Fort McHenry

Following closely behind the bicentennial sets is the 2012 US Silver Proof Set. Its launch will occur on June 4, 2012 at an expected price of $67.95. These sets each contain 14 coins in proof quality with the Kennedy half dollar, five America the Beautiful quarters and Roosevelt dime each struck from 90% silver. These sets each have a total silver melt weight of 1.34 ounces.

Then, on June 7, the United States Mint will issue the 2012 American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set. Its price is yet to be determined, but it will include a standard proof American Silver Eagle and a reverse proof American Silver Eagle.

"A special feature of this elegant two-coin set is the coin featuring a ‘reverse proof’ finish," described the U.S. Mint "Reversing the mirror-like background finish of a traditional proof coin and applying it to the design elements of the coin achieves a magnificent contrast."

Both silver coins are minted at San Francisco and bear the "S" mint mark. This American Silver Eagle San Francisco Proof Set will only be available for four weeks as sales will conclude on July 5. They will be minted to demand during that time frame.

Finally, the 2012-W Silver Eagle Uncirculated Coin is expected out on August 2. Unless silver prices change significantly, its price point will be the same as last year’s issue which is still on sale for $45.95.

The following is a summary of the U.S. Mint’s updated release schedule with a listing of release dates and all of its upcoming products.

 

The scheduling for some of these products may change, the U.S. Mint warns.

As a side note that is unrelated to silver coins, the new release schedule contains a unique collector offering of San Francisco minted El Yunque America the Beautiful quarters. While the San Francisco Mint is no stranger to producing coins, these are in circulation quality. The SF Mint has not produced circulation quality coins in some 30 years. For more information if interested, read this article about the 2012-S America the Beautiful Quarters.