Debuting two days after its associated quarter dollar, the United States Mint just released the 2018-P Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin.
The collectible is issued under the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins™ series with each piece composed of five ounces of .999 fine silver to a diameter of 3.00 inches.
Coin Designs
The coin’s reverse (tails side) is emblematic of Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. The same basic imagery appears on much smaller quarters that launched Nov. 13. (See Block Island quarter photos.)
Depicted is a black-crowned night-heron. The bird is shown flying above the beach at Cow Cove. In the distance, we find the North Lighthouse. Inscriptions around the scene include "BLOCK ISLAND," "RHODE ISLAND," "2018," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." This design is the work of U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Chris Costello. Sculpting was under the charge of U.S. Mint sculptor Phebe Hemphill.
Struck as a companion piece to the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, coin obverses (heads side) bear the same portrait of George Washington. Surrounding inscriptions read: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "QUARTER DOLLAR." The last inscription is indicative of this coin’s association with the Mint’s series of quarter dollars.
Also on the obverse is the mintmark of ‘P’ showing that the coin was produced at the U.S. Mint’s facility in Philadelphia.
Each piece also has a flat edge with an edge inscription reading: "999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE."
Detailed specifications for the coin are as follows:
| Finish: | Uncirculated |
|---|---|
| Denomination: | Quarter |
| Composition: | 99.9% Silver |
| Weight: | 5.000 troy oz. (155.517 grams) |
| Diameter: | 3.000 inches (76.20 mm) |
| Edge: | Lettered |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | Philadelphia – P |
Ordering and Price
Priced at $154.95, the 2018-P Block Island Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is available directly from this U.S. Mint product pate. Orders may also be placed by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
The coin’s mintage is limited to 20,000 pieces with no household or ordering restrictions in place.
Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins
Similar five ounce bullion coins are also produced by the U.S. Mint. They feature a brilliant finish as compared to the vapor blast finish of the uncirculated coins. In addition, while they are also made at the Philadelphia Mint, they do not have mintmark which is standard policy for U.S. Mint bullion products.
Bullion coins are sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above associated melt values. The U.S. Mint will begin accepting orders for five-ounce Block Island bullion coins on Nov. 26.
Another bird – ugh