By CoinWeek ….
In 2018, the Mint is trying something different.
At last year’s forum, representatives of the United States Mint revealed a far more complete 2018 product rollout schedule than they had provided in the past. They did so in order to help dealers and collectors make more informed purchasing decisions and better allocate their budgets when it comes to Mint products. Of course this also helps the Mint by allowing consumers to buy more coins, so it’s a highly welcome improvement all around.
We are currently in the second month of 2018(!), and the U.S. Mint’s online product release schedule is set through the end of March, or the first quarter of the year. After that, numismatic coins and products are scheduled through the fall, though none at this time have specific dates set. One expects information for the second quarter of the year (April through June) to be available by the end of March.
So on that note, here are the current and upcoming releases from the U.S. Mint for the month of February, complete with prices and links to order. As of the date of publication, all items are still available directly from the Mint.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 2018 Rolls and Bags
On Feb. 5, the Mint released rolls and bags for the first quarter in the 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters program. It commemorates Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, which covers 42 miles of Upper Peninsula shoreline on Lake Superior, was the first national lakeshore in the National Park Service, being established in 1966. The reverse specifically features Chapel Rock, one of the many natural wonders and landmarks found in the park.
100-coin bags, available from the Philadelphia (P), Denver (D) and San Francisco Mints (S) retail for $34.95 USD. Two-roll sets (P and D) retail for $32.95. A 40-coin roll (S) is available for $18.95, and a three-roll set (P, D, S) retails for $46.95. Each individual roll in the sets above contain 40 quarters ($10 face value).
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 2018 Rolls and Bags
American Liberty 1/10 Ounce 2018 Gold Proof Coin
The first upcoming product from the United States Mint comes out tomorrow on Feb. 8: the 2018 American Liberty 1/10oz Gold Proof Coin.
Essentially the same design as the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin, this is the fractional gold version the Mint promised last year to provide collectors who are interested in the coin but were perhaps put off by the high price of one troy ounce of gold. The one-tenth ounce American Liberty gold coin comes in a lower relief than its 2017 counterpart, and also lacks the dual date “1792-2017”.
Pricing for the fractional gold Liberty has yet to be announced, though all gold and platinum numismatic products are priced according to the Mint’s pricing range table.
American Liberty One-Tenth Ounce 2018 Gold Proof Coin
Pictured Rocks 2018 Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin
Next up is the 2018 Pictured Rocks 5oz Silver Uncirculated Coin, which comes out on Feb. 9. Sharing the same basic design as the Pictured Rocks quarter itself, the large uncirculated finish coin is minted in Philadelphia (P) and consists of five troy ounces of 99.9% pure silver. It retails for $154.95.
The 5oz silver America the Beautiful coins are perennial favorites, with several issues selling for a premium in the aftermarket.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 2018 Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin
Native American $1 Coin 2018 Rolls, Bags and Boxes
The reverse of the 2018 Native American $1 Coin features football legend and Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe. Born in Oklahoma in 1887, Thorpe, also known as Wa-Tho-Huk (“Bright Path”), was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation. The coin’s design emphasizes his athletic prowess and is part of what has been (and will be) an interesting run within the series that honors specific Native American individuals and their accomplishments.
25-coin rolls from Philadelphia and Denver are available for $32.95 each. 250-coin boxes (also available from Philadelphia and Denver) retail for $275.95. 100-coin bags (P and D) are priced at $111.95. All go on sale Feb. 15.
Native American $1 Coin 2018 Rolls, Bags and Boxes
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 2018 Quarter, 3-Coin Set
February 20 sees the release of the 2018 America the Beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore three-coin set, which features two uncirculated quarters (one each from Philadelphia and Denver) and one proof coin from San Francisco. This popular package goes for $9.95.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 2018 Quarter, 3-Coin Set
America the Beautiful Quarters 2018 Silver Proof Set
And finally, collectors will be able to purchase the 2018 America the Beautiful Silver Proof Set starting Feb. 22. The proof set contains 90% silver proof versions of the the year’s five America the Beautiful quarters–Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin), Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota), Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia), and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island)–all minted in San Francisco. Pricing is currently unavailable, but last year’s silver proof set (which is still available for order on the Mint’s website) retails for $31.95.
The five 2018 America the Beautiful quarters are one of the most thematically consistent groupings among the series, with designs that feature sea birds and lakeshore vistas. This makes the silver proof set one of the most attractive in the whole program.
America the Beautiful Quarters 2018 Silver Proof Set
