The 2012 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Silver Uncirculated Coins were issued as the fourth 2012 strike of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Uncirculated Coin Program. Coins in this program are struck from five ounces of .999 silver to honor sites of national interest from around the United States and its territories with this specific strike honoring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the state of Hawaii. This coin was released for sale to the public on September 24, 2012.
The design of the Hawaii Volcanoes Uncirculated Coins is similar to that of the 2012 Hawaii Volcanoes Quarter. The quarter is part of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program and first debuted in 2010. This quarters program serves as the basis for the designs to be found on this five ounce silver uncirculated coin series as well as an associated silver bullion series.
Both precious metal series are struck from five ounces of silver and both feature a diameter of three inches. However, whereas the Hawaii Volcanoes Bullion Coin is struck for investors, these Hawaii Volcanoes Uncirculated Coins are meant for collectors. As such, their finish should contain a higher level of detail than will be found on the bullion coins and they will likely sell for much more than the associated bullion strikes.
2012 Hawaii Volcanoes Silver Uncirculated Coin Values
The Hawaii Volcanoes Silver Uncirculated Coins will only feature a face value of twenty-five cents, despite being struck from so much silver. That five ounces of the precious metal, however, will also give each strike an intrinsic melt value approximately equal to that amount of the white metal on the open market.
It is likely, however, that the highest value associated with these coins will be their numismatic value. This value is the amount that the coin is worth to collectors and is based mainly on the rarity of the coin as well as the condition each strike is in. If the coin is perceived to be rare and if it is free from major blemishes, the numismatic value of the coin will be much higher than if there are many of the strikes to be obtained or if most of them contain scratches and other marks.
This coins sales figures page offers the current sales information for the strikes along with the associated melt value of the coins.
Hawaii Volcanoes Silver Uncirculated Coin Information
The reverse of this Hawaii Volcanoes Uncirculated Coin contains a design emblematic of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This national park was established in the state of Hawaii on August 1, 1916 and preserves the area around two of the world’s most active volcanoes. The design found on the related quarter was described by the US Mint with:
"The reverse of the fourth quarter of 2012 depicts an eruption on the east rift of Kilauea Volcano. Inscriptions are HAWAI’I VOLCANOES, HAWAII, 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. It was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers."
Shown on the obverse of the coin (along with all of the other America the Beautiful related coins) will be a portrait of George Washington. This image of the first President of the United States was originally completed for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar and has been in use on the quarter dollar in one form or another ever since.
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: | Kilauea Volcano |
Reverse Designer: | Charles L. Vickers |