Chaco Culture Silver Uncirculated Coins

The 2012 Chaco Culture National Historical Park Silver Uncirculated Coins was issued as part of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Uncirculated Coin Program and marks the twelfth release of the series. These specific strikes honor Chaco Culture National Historical Park found in the state of New Mexico with a reverse design emblematic of that location. It was released for sale to the public on July 9, 2012.

2012 Chaco Culture Silver Coin

The coins feature obverse and reverse designs similar to that of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program which honors national parks and other sites from around the United States. However, specification-wise, these coins are closer to that of the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins™, which also feature the same designs as the 2012 Park Quarters but are struck to a much larger size from five ounces of .999 fine silver.

However, unlike the bullion coins which are struck for investors, these uncirculated coins are intended for collectors. As such, their finish is typically higher in detail than the similar bullion coins and they are likely to sell for much more than the related bullion series.

2012 Chaco Culture Silver Uncirculated Coin Values

The Chaco Culture Silver Uncirculated Coins each have a face value of twenty-five cents which is based on the America the Beautiful Quarters from which they take their designs from. That value is miniscule compared to both the intrinsic melt value and the numismatic value that will be associated with these strikes.

As each of these coins are struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver, they will always have a melt value approximately equal to that amount of silver on the open market. Also, collectors will tend to pay a significant premium for these coins above the face or melt value giving them a numismatic value. This numismatic value is based on the rarity and condition of the coins and will likely go up as the perceived rarity of the strikes increases or if the specific coin’s condition is relatively close to perfect.

Chaco Culture Silver Uncirculated Coin Information

Chaco Culture National Historical Park of New Mexico was created initially by President Theodore Roosevelt as a national monument on March 11, 1907. These coins feature designs emblematic of the location and are almost identical to that of the related America the Beautiful Quarter. The quarter design was described by the US 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."

The obverse of all of the America the Beautiful Coins remains the same. It features a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The portrait was originally completed by John Flanagan for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar.

Coin Specifications