Appearing as the fourth of five strikes in 2011, Vicksburg Silver Bullion Coins were released by the U.S. Mint as part of its America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins® Program to honor Vicksburg National Military Park in the state of Mississippi. These coins mark the ninth in the program which debuted in 2010 and will run until 2021.
2011 Vicksburg America the Beautiful Coin (images shown above are for the related quarter which features the same designs as the silver bullion coins)
Coins of this series are struck to a diameter of three inches, making them the largest bullion pieces produced by the United States Mint. Design requirements also dictate that their obverse and reverse sides be similar to the designs found on circulating America the Beautiful Quarters®. Also, by extension, the design are also featured on a series of related silver uncirculated coins.
The US Mint released the Vicksburg Bullion Coins to its network of authorized purchasers on June 20, 2011. An initial mintage cap of 126,700 was indicated by the Mint.
2011 Vicksburg Silver Coin Values
The true value of each Vicksburg Silver Bullion Coin will stem from the fact that they are struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver. As such, each will always have an intrinsic melt value equal to the current market price of those five ounces of the precious metal. Thus, if silver is currently trading for $25 an ounce, these coins would have a melt value of $150.
That same philosophy will also dictate the purchase price of these bullion coins once they are available. The Mint’s network of authorized purchasers will resell the coins to the public for a small premium above the current spot price of the silver in them. The premium covers the Mint’s production and distribution costs along with a small profit for the network since the Mint does not sell its bullion products directly to the public.
As with any product, availability and demand will also be a component in determining values.
Some of the silver bullion coins may also garner collector interest giving them a numismatic value which easily surpasses the coins intrinsic worth. This will especially apply to those that have been slabbed by a grading service.
Sales of the bullion coin series may be monitored on the coins sales figures page. A current melt value of the coins will also be shown on that page based on the most recent spot price of silver available.
Vicksburg Silver Bullion Coin Information
As mentioned, each silver coin is struck to honor Vicksburg National Military Park which is located in both the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. However, for the purposes of the coin, only the state of Mississippi is represented.
The military park preserves and recollects the Vicksburg Battle of the American Civil War and the greater Campaign. Fought from May 18 to July 4, 1862, the 47-day siege of by Union forces eventually led to the cities surrender.
Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the forces against the Confederate Army under the control of Lt. General John C. Pemberton. This Confederate Surrender, along with the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, is considered by many to mark the turning point of the Civil War.
Obverse designs on all of the America the Beautiful Coins will contain a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The portrait was originally designed by John Flanagan for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar.
On the 2011 Vicksburg Silver Bullion Coin reverse, a design emblematic of Vicksburg National Military Park is shown. This includes a depiction of the Civil War era gunboat USS Cairo as it would have appeared steaming on the Yazoo River. The Cairo was salvaged and partially reconstructed for display at the military park. The reverse was designed by AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
The edge of each five ounce bullion coin is required to have an inscription showing the coin’s weight and fineness.
Vicksburg Silver Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $.25 |
| Composition: | .999 Fine Silver |
| Mintage Cap: | 58,100 |
| 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: | Civil War era gunboat USS Cairo |
| Reverse Designer: | Thomas Cleveland / Joseph Menna |
