Released as the second 2017 issues of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Uncirculated Coin Program will be the 2017 Frederick Douglass Silver Uncirculated Coins. The reverse of these coins will feature a design emblematic of Frederick Douglass National Historic Site found in the District of Columbia with each strike composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver like other uncirculated coins in the series.
The United States Mint strikes these uncirculated coins as the collector-grade versions of its America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program. Like the bullion coins, each uncirculated strike features five ounces of precious metal and a diameter of three inches.
However, the two series are different in several respects. The first of which is their intended market. Each bullion coin is struck for investors as a means of adding small amounts of precious metals to their portfolios. The uncirculated strikes are intended for collectors.
Second, as the name of the specific series indicates, the finish found on the strikes will be different. The bullion strikes only feature a bullion finish whereas the uncirculated coins feature an uncirculated finish typically much higher in detail than the bullion coins since the Mint uses more pressure to strike them.
In addition, a ‘P’ mintmark will be featured on the collector grade coins indicating it was produced at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia. The bullion coins contain no mintmark as is standard practice for US Mint bullion products.
2017 Frederick Douglass Silver Uncirculated Coin Values
The US Mint indicates that the 2017 Frederick Douglass Silver Uncirculated Coins will only have a face value of twenty-five cents. This is because the strikes take that face value from the associated America the Beautiful Quarter Dollar they are designed to resemble.
That face value is small compared to the coin’s intrinsic melt value, however. This melt value is taken from the fact that each coin contains five ounces of silver giving each a value approximately equal to that amount of the precious metal on the open market. Thus, if silver is trading for $30 an ounce, these coins would be worth about $150 – five ounces times $30 an ounce equals $150.
The best value for the strikes should be its numismatic value. This is the amount a collector would be willing to pay to purchase the coin and generally increases based on the perceived rarity and condition of the strike.
The Mint Prices, Values & Sales Figures Page will show current sales information on the coins once they are released by the US Mint. Also offered will be a melt value for the strike based on recent market activity.
Frederick Douglass Silver Uncirculated Coin Information
Shown on the obverse of each America the Beautiful-related coin including this 2017 Frederick Douglass Silver Uncirculated Coin will be a portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. This image of the first President of the United States was initially designed for the 1932 circulating quarter dollar.
Found on the reverse will be a design honoring Frederick Douglass National Historic Site found in the District of Columbia. The final design will be chosen by the Treasury Secretary from several design candidates offered by the Mint early in 2016.
Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $.25 |
| Composition: | 999 Fine Silver |
| Mintage Cap: | TBA |
| 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: | tbd |
| Reverse Designer: | tbd |
