The 2011 Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coin was the first of five releases issued by the US Mint during the year. The coin honors Gettysburg National Military Park in the state of Pennsylvania. It marks the sixth issue overall in the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program which debuted the previous year of 2010.
2011 Gettysburg America the Beautiful Coin (images shown above are for the related quarter which features the same designs as the silver bullion coins)
All the silver bullion coins in the program contain imagery on their obverses and reverses identical to those found on the circulating America the Beautiful Quarters™. However, these are much larger as they are struck from five ounces of silver to a diameter of three inches.
The United States Mint released the Gettysburg Bullion Coin on April 25, 2011 along with the second 2011 strike of the series, the Glacier Bullion Coin. Both had initial mintages of 126,500 which was significantly higher than the mintages of the strikes from the previous year – only 33,000 per coin.
By Monday, May 16th, the US Mint indicated both strikes had sold out. Their sales records showed that a total of 126,700 of each coin had been issued.
2011 Gettysburg Silver Coin Values
Each Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coin is not only minted using five ounces of the precious metal, but their composition is .999 fine — there is no meaningful loss in their production. That means if silver is currently trading for $20 an ounce, these coins would have an intrinsic or melt value of $100.
When coins of this series are initially released, they are not sold directly to the public by the United States Mint. Instead, America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins are sold through the Mint’s network of Authorized Purchasers. These dealers buy them for a modest premium above spot silver, and then add their own premiums to make a small profit when they resell them to the public. Thus, Gettysburg coin values and their selling prices will always be somewhat above the current price of silver.
Further, a portion of the Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coins will be graded by third party services, making them more attractive to coin collectors. Those that are slabbed and receive the upper 69 or coveted 70 grade will have values that are substantially higher than their melt values.
Information on sales and values of current releases in the program can be found on the silver coins sales figures page.
Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coin Information
A portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States, will be found on the obverse of the Gettysburg coins. In fact, Washington is featured on the obverse of all of the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins and the circulating quarter dollars. This same image was first used on the 1932 circulating quarter dollars and was designed by John Flanagan.
The reverse showcases an image emblematic of the Gettysburg National Military Park. This design includes a depiction of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument found within the park along the Union battle line of Cemetery Ridge. The reverse was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
Gettysburg Silver Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $.25 |
| Composition: | .999 Fine Silver |
| Mintage Cap: | 126,700 |
| Diameter: | 3 inches |
| Weight | 5 Ounces |
| Edge: | Incused Lettering |
| Minting Facility: | Philadelphia (no mintmark present) |
| Obverse Design: | George Washington Portrait |
| Obverse Designer: | John Flanagan |
| Reverse Design: | Depiction of 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument |
| Reverse Designer: | Joel Iskowitz / Phebe Hemphill |
