2013-P Fort McHenry 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Released

Available now is the 2013-P Fort McHenry 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin, released by the United States Mint with a mintage maximum set at 25,000.

Shown on its reverse is a design emblematic of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine located in the state of Maryland. The coin went on sale at Noon (Eastern) today, August 29, 2013. It is the fourth America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin released this year and nineteenth in the series overall.

Each Fort McHenry coin is composed from five ounces of .999 fine silver with pricing at $154.95. That price is subject to change based on market conditions. Expectations were very high for silver coin prices to move up, with many collectors surprised that they hadn’t already. Silver has been soaring this month. Prices for all the five ounce silver coins were reduced on July 11 after silver had fallen below $19 an ounce. Since, silver prices have jumped above $24 an ounce.

Designs on 2013-P Fort McHenry Silver Uncirculated Coin

As mentioned, the reverse of the strike contains a design emblematic of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine of Maryland. This design, along with all other from the series, was created originally for the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna designed and executed the reverse. It represents the monument and historic shrine as it would appear during a "Defenders Day" celebration with fireworks overhead. These fireworks are also meant to symbolize "rocket’s red glare" as the site was the subject of Francis Scott Key’s poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry," written during a War of 1812 battle fought at the location. The poem would eventually be set to music and would go on to become the national anthem of the United States as "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Inscriptions surrounding the design include FORT McHENRY, MARYLAND, 2013, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. An edge inscription indicates the composition and purity of the coin with .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE.

Obverses, again like the companion quarters, bear a portrait of Washington by artist John Flanagan. It has appeared on circulating quarter dollars since 1932. Inscriptions surrounding the portrait include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

Associated Fort McHenry Bullion Silver Coins

These uncirculated coins are struck for numismatic purposes, but the United Stated Mint also produces Fort McHenry Silver Bullion Coins for investors. Both the uncirculated and bullion silver coins are extremely similar in appearance.

To differentiate between the two, a ‘P’ mint mark is inscribed below "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the obverse of the uncirculated coins. The ‘P’ is indicative of its production at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.

In addition, the collector-grade silver coins feature an uncirculated finish and are encapsulated in a clear plastic holder and sold in a display case. A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included.

Ordering Information and Mintage Limit

The 2013-P Fort McHenry 5 Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is available from Mint’s website located at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

Thanks to a summer promotion by the US Mint, online orders will receive free domestic shipping with expedited shipping reduced by $4.95. Orders may also be placed by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468), but the shipping savings will not apply.

No household or order limits are in place.

The Five 2013 America the Beautiful Silver Coins

Appearing in 2013 before this newest release in the ATB series were:

• 2013-P White Mountain National Forest 5 Ounce Silver Coins on May 16, 2013
• 2013-P Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial Silver Coins on June 6, 2013
• 2013-P Great Basin National Park Silver Coins on July 25, 2013

Scheduled for a November release is the 2013-P Mount Rushmore National Memorial Silver Uncirculated Coin. A specific date has not been set.

The five silver coins of the year represent the sixteenth through the twentieth of the series.