United States 2005 dollar KM-273

formerly in the Mountain Groan Collection

The United States Mint inaugurated the silver eagle bullion coin in 1986 to compete with similar offerings from other countries, such as Mexico ("Libertad") and Canada ("Maple Leaf"). Sales were decent (the lowest mintage date is 1994, with 4.2 million) but really took off with the price of silver in 2008. An astonishing 47 million were made and sold in 2015. Normally, West Point and Philadelphia divide the task of striking these; in 2005, West Point made both the proofs and the regular issue sold in bulk.

Recorded Mintage: 8,891,025 (West Point) plus 816,663 proofs (2005-W).

Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine silver, 40.6 mm diameter. Designed and engraved by John Mercanti.

Catalog reference: KM 273.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
• Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.

Link to:

• 2004 "silver eagle" dollar
• 2005-S cent
• 2005-S 5 cents, "Westward Journey", bison reverse
• 2005-S 5 cents, "Westward Journey", western waters reverse
• 2005-S dime
• 2005-S quarter dollar, California reverse
• 2005-S quarter dollar, Minnesota reverse
• 2005-S quarter dollar, Oregon reverse
• 2005-S quarter dollar, Kansas reverse
• 2005-S quarter dollar, West Virginia reverse
• 2005-S half dollar
• 2005-P dollar, John Marshall
• 2005-S dollar, Sacagawea
• 2005-W 50 dollars, 1 oz gold eagle
• 2006 "silver eagle" dollar
• Coins and currency dated 2005
• return to United States Silver Bullion Coins, since 1986