Daily Archives: October 20, 2008
The End of 2008 American Eagle Silver Proof Coins?
The U.S. Mint's 2008 Gift Catalog announcement on Monday contained a glaring omission. There were no collector 2008-W American Eagle Silver proof coins. Did the Mint simply forget to list these mainstay one-ounce silver coins? Not likely.
The die is cast and this year's run of the coins is likely ended. Despite hope, collectors are not likely to see a 2008 comeback similar to the platinum eagles' return on Friday. Three factors reinforce this line of reasoning:
Prior Mint catalog announcements have always included silver proof eagles
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The Mint halted sales of these eagles in August and they have never resumed
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Available silver blank inventories are used to mint bullion American Eagles silver coins, not the collector versions bearing the "W" mintmark
The first reason is self-evident, the second a matter of fact and the third bluntly explained by the Mint earlier this year.