Chaco Culture Silver Bullion Coins

The 2012 Chaco Culture Silver Bullion Coin was the second strike in 2012 of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin® Program. Coins in the series are composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver making them the largest bullion products of the US Mint.

2012 Chaco Culture Silver Coin

Each Chaco Culture Coin features a reverse design emblematic of Chaco Culture National Historical Park which is located in the state of New Mexico. Chaco was originally established as a national monument in 1907 to preserve perhaps the best concentrations of ancient Pueblo dwellings located in the United States. The structures were constructed around one thousand years ago and remained the largest buildings in North America for centuries.

2012 Chaco Culture Silver Coin Values

The United States Mint does not sell its bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, a network of authorized purchasers is used to insure a ready supply of the bullion coins. The network obtains the coins in bulk from the Mint, then resells them for a small premium above the current spot price of the precious metal contained within them. That premium covers minting and distribution costs from the Mint as well as a small profit for the seller.

With each 2012 Chaco Culture Silver Bullion Coin containing five ounces of .999 fine silver, the strikes also inherently have a melt value equal to that amount of the precious metal. Thus, if silver is trading for $10 an ounce, these coins would have a melt value of approximately $50. Those buying must expect to pay an amount slightly higher than their melt value.

Coins of greater quality, especially those graded as such by third party services, will command higher premiums — much greater than their melt values, typically.

The silver sales figures page will contain current sales information on the coins once they become available along with current melt value information.

Chaco Culture Silver Bullion Coin Information

Showcased for the first time in 1932 on the circulating quarter dollar, the obverse of the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins feature a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The image was designed by John Flanagan and has been used on the quarter in one form or another ever since its premier.

The reverse features a design emblematic of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. It features the same basic imagery as found on the associated Chaco Culture America the Beautiful Quarter which was described by the United States Mint with:

"The reverse of the second quarter of 2012 illustrates a view to the west of two elevated kivas that are part of the Chetro Ketl Complex.  The design also shows the north wall of Chetro Ketl and the north wall of the canyon.  Inscriptions are CHACO CULTURE, NEW MEXICO, 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.  The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill."

Chaco Culture Silver Coin Specifications