United States 2002 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 2002, West Point made the proofs and the regular issue sold in bulk.

Recorded Mintage: 10,539,026 (West Point) plus 647,342 proofs (2002-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:

• 2001 "silver eagle" dollar
• 2001-D silver dollar, Native American-Bison
• 2002-D quarter dollar, Tennessee reverse
• 2002-D quarter dollar, Ohio reverse
• 2002-D quarter dollar, Louisiana reverse
• 2002-D quarter dollar, Indiana reverse
• 2002-D quarter dollar, Mississippi reverse
• 2003 "silver eagle" dollar
• Coins and currency dated 2002
• return to United States Silver Bullion Coins, since 1986