The third of five 2013 releases of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Uncirculated Coin Program was the 2013 Great Basin National Park Silver Uncirculated Coins. This silver uncirculated coin series is struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver and honors sites of national interest with reverse designs emblematic of that location with this specific coin honoring the national park found in the state of Nevada.
2013 Great Basin Silver Coin
These coins were released for sale to the public by the US Mint on July 25, 2013. Maximum mintage for the strike was established at 25,000.
Designs for the strike are extremely similar to those found on the circulating Great Basin National Park Quarter, also produced by the US Mint. However, the quarter is part of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program and are designed for circulation. This differs from these silver uncirculated coins which are designed for collectors.
In reality, these uncirculated coins will be much more similar to strikes of the related America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins™ Program. Both of these programs are struck from the same five ounces to a diameter of three inches. However, the bullion coins are intended for investors, and as such are sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers. In comparison, the silver uncirculated coins are sold directly to the public by the US Mint.
2013 Great Basin Silver Uncirculated Coin Values
The Great Basin Silver Uncirculated Coins will only feature a face value of twenty-five cents – the same face value as the quarter dollars upon which they are based.
Making the coin much more valuable will be its intrinsic melt value as that amount is based on the fact that each are struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver. Accordingly, their melt value will be approximately equal to that amount of the precious metal on the open market.
However, the coin’s highest value will likely be its numismatic value. A coin’s numismatic value is the price at which a collector would be willing to pay to obtain the strike. This numismatic value is positively affected by the rarity of the coin as well as its condition.
The Coin Values Page will offer up-to-date sales information on the coin, when available, as well as current melt values based on recent market prices.
Great Basin Silver Uncirculated Coin Information
The obverse of all of the America the Beautiful related coins contains the same portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. This image was originally designed by John Flanagan for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar and has been in use on the quarters ever since.
Shown on the reverse of the Great Basin Silver Uncirculated Coin will be a design emblematic of Great Basin National Park of Nevada. The design of the associated quarter dollar was described by the US Mint with:
"The reverse design depicts the beauty and unique qualities of a single Bristlecone Pine tree and the rocky glacial moraines where the trees grow. These trees grow at higher elevation in the park and are some of the world’s oldest. The park contains numerous Bristlecone Pine groves with trees older than 4,000 years. Inscriptions are GREAT BASIN, NEVADA, 2013, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Ronald D. Sanders and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon."
Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $.25 |
| Composition: | 999 Fine Silver |
| Mintage Cap: | 25,000 |
| Diameter: | 3 Inches |
| Weight | 5 Ounces |
| Edge: | Incused Lettering |
| Minting Facility: | Philadelphia (P) |
| Obverse Design: | Portrait of George Washington |
| Obverse Designer: | John Flanagan |
| Reverse Design: | Bristlecone Pine Tree |
| Reverse Designer: | Ronald D. Sanders / Renata Gordon |
