2012 Silver Eagle
2012 American Silver Eagle
After three successive years of record demand, the pace of sales for the United States Mint’s American Silver Eagle bullion coins began to slow. By mid year, sales were tracking about 22% below the levels of the prior year. At the same time, the Mint expanded the number of numismatic product offerings for the Silver Eagle to include three special sets in addition to two individual offerings.
The 2012 Silver Eagle bullion coins originally went on sale to authorized purchasers on January 3, 2012. From the start, the coins were produced at both the West Point and San Francisco Mint facilities without mint marks. As opposed to prior years, allocation programs were not imposed and authorized purchasers were able to order as many coins as desired. After a relatively brisk start, the pace of sales declined. Through the first half, sales totaled 17,392,000 ounces compared to 22,303,500 in the year ago period.
On the numismatic front, the US Mint released the 2012 Proof Silver Eagle on April 12, 2012, which was three months earlier than the prior year. Initial pricing was established at $59.95 per coin with no household ordering limits in place. Within the first four days of availability, orders reached nearly 300,000 coins. The pace of orders subsequently slowed, and it would take another three months for sales to reach the 500,000 mark. Pricing for the offering was adjusted to $54.95 per coin, following a decline in the market price of silver, but later increased back to $59.95. A sell out for this individual option occurred on November 13, 2012 with last reported sales of 819,217, although the coin would be offered within other products.
The 2012-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle was released on August 2, 2012. This represented the fifth release of the collectible uncirculated version of the coin bearing the “W” mint mark, following its initial years of release from 2006-2008 and reprise offering in 2011. Pricing was established at $45.95 per coin with no household ordering limits and no stated maximum mintage. Although there were initial indications that an uncirculated coin with the “S” mint mark would be offered, these plans were abandoned in favor of other special sets.
The first specially produced set was the San Francisco Silver Eagle Set, released to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the current facility at San Francisco. Each set included proof and reverse proof Silver Eagles bearing the “S” mint mark. Rather than impose a maximum mintage, the Mint offered the set for a limited time period with the coins to be minted to demand based on the number of orders received. At the close of sales an order counter indicated sales of 251,302 sets.
Additional collector sets included the Making American History Coin and Currency Set, which included the 2012-S Proof Silver Eagle along with a $5 note with a serial number starting with “150″. This set was issued for the 220th anniversary of the United States Mint and 150th anniversary of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set was later released on September 6, 2012. This set contained the collectible uncirculated coin with “W” mint mark along with the five golden colored $1 coins issued for the year. Finally, the Limited Edition Silver Proof Set containing 90% silver coins and the 2012-W Proof Silver Eagle was released on November 27, 2012.
2012 Silver Eagle Mintages
Bullion Mintage: TBD
Proof Mintage: TBD
Uncirculated (Burnished) Mintage: TBD
Coin Specifications
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof, uncirculated), S (proof, reverse proof)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded
