United States 2012 dollar KM-273
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 2012, West Point and San Francisco made the regular issue sold in bulk and the proofs.
Recorded Mintage: 29,575,000 (West Point) plus 8,421,000 (San Francisco) plus 877,731 proofs (2012-W) plus 281,792 proofs (2012-S) plus 224,935 reverse proofs (2012-S) plus 226,120 burnished uncirculated (2012-W).
Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine silver, 40.6 mm diameter. Designed and engraved by John Mercanti.
Catalog reference: KM 273.
- 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.
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