Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of West Virginia is the newest national site honored on a large format silver coin now available from the United States Mint. Struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver with a diameter of three inches, the collectible is the third 2016-dated release from the U.S. Mint’s program of America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has played an important role in history; even before its establishment as a national park. Its position as a passage area of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge Mountains insured its importance, becoming one of the first industrial centers of the nation as well as a site of important military events.
Coin Designs
Featured on the coin’s reverse is John Brown’s Fort, the site of his last stand during his raid on the Harper’s Ferry Armory. The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Thomas Hipschen with sculpting completed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
If the coin image looks familiar, it is because it was also used for the Harpers Ferry quarter released earlier as part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.
Also, and like that quarter series, the silver coin’s obverse shares the basic portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The effigy was created by John Flanagan.
In addition, a ‘P’ mint mark appears to the right of the effigy, which indicates the coin was produced at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.
Finally, an edge inscription completes the designs, reading .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE to denote the content and size of each collector coin.
Ordering and Mintage
Priced at $149.95, the 2016-P Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is available from the U.S. Mint on this product page or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
This coin’s maximum potential mintage limit is 30,000, although that can be adjusted lower if demand is high for the related bullion version.
Bullion Five Ounce Silver Edition
The U.S. Mint also produces a bullion version that is intended for investors. Specifications for bullion editions are nearly identical to the uncirculated coins. The two major differences include their brilliant finish and a lack of a mint mark, although they are also produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
The Harpers Ferry bullion coin launched on June 7 and has sales of 34,200.
Bullion coins are also not sold directly to the public as the U.S. Mint reserves their selling to authorized distributors who buy them in bulk. They pay a premium of $9.75 per coin above spot, then resell them to coin and precious metal dealers and the public for a small amount over their melt value.
