Gettysburg Silver Uncirculated Coins

The 2011 Gettysburg National Military Park Silver Uncirculated Coins mark the first strikes of 2011 issued as part of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Uncirculated Coin series. Featured on the reverse of these silver uncirculated coins is the design emblematic of Gettysburg National Military Park which is located in the state of Pennsylvania.

2011 Gettysburg America the Beautiful Coin (images shown above are for the related quarter which features the same designs as the silver bullion coins)

Strikes in the silver uncirculated coin series are extremely similar to those found in the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program. Both series feature five ounce .999 fine silver coins struck with reverse designs emblematic of selected sites of national interest from around the United States. For reference, see the Gettysburg Silver Bullion Coin.

While similar in a majority of their specifications, the purpose behind the two silver coins series is quite unique. The bullion coins are struck for investors to bullion quality and feature no mintmark. The five ounce silver uncirculated coins are struck solely for collectors. They have a special uncirculated finish and have a ‘P’ mintmark indicating they were produced at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.

Another differentiating factor is their method of release. The bullion strikes are sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers whereas the silver uncirculated coins are sold directly to the public by the Mint.

The United States Mint released these coins for sale to the public on Thursday, September 22, 2011. They had an initial price of $279.95 per coin and a maximum mintage of only 35,000. While that mintage was relatively low in comparison to other US Mint products, it did represent a significant increase over the mintage seen on the previous year’s strikes of the series which stood at only 27,000 per design. The coin was declared "sold out" by the US Mint on December 5, 2012. Two days previous, sales of the silver coin stood at 24,572. Its last listed price was $229.95.

2011 Gettysburg Silver Uncirculated Coin Values

Gettysburg Silver Uncirculated Coins have three different values placed upon them. The first is their face value, the second is their intrinsic melt value and the third is their numismatic value.

Each coin in this series has a face value of only $.25, meaning if someone were to use it for a commerce transaction, it would only be worth the same amount as a quarter dollar. While this value is extremely low, it is guaranteed by the government of the United States that the coins are indeed legal tender. Without the denomination, it could easily be assumed that instead of coins, the pieces were medals.

The intrinsic melt value of the coin is attributable to the fact that each is struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver. Thus, each will have a melt value approximately equal to the current market price of five ounces of the precious metal. If silver is currently trading at $20 an ounce, then the uncirculated silver coins would be worth approximately $100 — five ounces times $20 an ounce equals $100.

The numismatic value, or what collectors are willing to pay for them, is traditionally what dictates the coins’ price. These numismatic values generally increase depending upon the condition and rarity of the strike in question. Also, examples that have been slabbed and graded highly by independent third party grading services typically garner the best prices.

Gettysburg Silver Uncirculated Coin Information

Gettysburg National Military Park is featured on the reverse of these uncirculated coins. The park was established on February 11, 1895 to commemorate the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg and those who fought in it.

The silver coins sales figures page offers up-to-date sales information on currently available strikes in the series. It also provides melt values for those strikes based on recent market prices.

It should be noted that the Mint charges a significant premium for coins of this series when first issued over and above their melt values. This is relatively standard with the Mint’s numismatic products as their value is not solely based on the precious metal content within them, but upon the condition and rarity making them desirable to collectors.

An image of George Washington is showcased on the reverse of each uncirculated coin in the series. This portrait was designed by John Flanagan and first used on the circulating quarter dollar in 1932.

On the reverse of the coin, an image of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument will be depicted, as found in Gettysburg National Military Park. It was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. 

Coin Specifications