2013 Great Basin ATB 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coin Sales Begin Strong

Sales began and surged Monday, June 24, for the 2013 Great Basin National Park 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coin. It is the 3rd issued this year and the 18th in the series of America the Beautiful 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins from the United States Mint.

One-day sales for these investment-grade coins depicting the national park in Nevada logged in at 25,500 units, or 127,500 ounces. That is the best start this year for the bullion series.

Update: The U.S. Mint on Tuesday changed the sales total to 9,900 coins from 25,500.

The first issue this year, honoring White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, opened at 8,900 coins. Its sales are now at 27,000 coins. The second release, depicting Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial in Ohio, started at 8,000 coins. Its sales are now at 14,200 coins.

2013 Great Basin National Park 5 Ounce Silver Bullion Coins match the designs of the corresponding America the Beautiful Quarter, except they have a large 3.0 inch diameter and are struck in five ounces of 99.9% pure silver. Great Basin National Park quarters entered circulation beginning on June 10, 2013. In another difference, quarters have reeded edges while America the Beautiful silver coins have edge inscriptions of .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE.

Unlike its collector coins, the United States Mint does not sell silver bullion coins directly to the public but instead through a network of "Authorized Purchasers." For five ounce bullion coins, the AP’s pay to the U.S. Mint a premium of $9.75 per coin over spot and APs must order in quantities of 500 ounces/100 coins, with 500 ounces/100 coin ordering increments. The silver coins eventually make their way to the secondary market and are available for a small premium over their melt value. A factor likely supporting Great Basin silver bullion coin sales is silver’s crash to below $20 an ounce. AP’s are getting them for less than any other from the past.

The United States Mint did have a scheduled release date for the collector version, named the 2013 Great Basin National Park 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin. It was expected to launch on Thursday, June 27, for $179.95. It appears silver’s dive could delay the coin’s release. Now the Mint’s product page for the silver coin states: "Price and on sale date are to be determined." This coin features the same specifications as the bullion coin, but it is produced to an uncirculated finish and bears the Philadelphia Mint’s "P" mint mark.