Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge makes one of its last appearances on a United States Mint collectible product with today’s release of a 3-inch, 5-ounce silver coin depicting a design emblematic of the site in Delaware.
This brand new coin is the fourth of five this year and the 29th overall in the U.S. Mint’s series of America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins.
Bombay Hook Silver Coin Design
Designs on the coin match those on Bombay Hook quarters, which launched into circulation last month and large quantities of them are now available in U.S. Mint-branded rolls and bags.
Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the reverse depicts a great blue heron and a great egret — both found abundantly within the refuge. The heads side, like all America the Beautiful Quarters and companion silver coins, show John Flanagan’s effigy of George Washington.
Edges of the 3-inch silver coins are different from the reeded treatment on America the Beautiful Quarters. They are flat and incused with ".999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE" to show their fineness and weight.
See how five ounce coins are made.
Pricing and Premium
The price for coins of the series is $149.95 each. With their 99.9% pure silver composition and at Thursday’s London silver price of $15.61 an ounce — the same as when the previous coin launched, each has a melt value of $78.05. That brings the U.S. Mint’s premium per ounce at $14.38.
That is low when compared to other U.S. Mint collector silver products. For example, current premiums for the Mint’s one-ounce proof and uncirculated American Silver Eagles are $33.34 and $24.34. It is toward the upper end, however, when compared to recent releases. Previous 2015-dated Blue Ridge Parkway, Kisatchie National Forest and Homestead National Monument coins launched at a per ounce premium of $14.38, $13.67 and $13.80. Last year’s issues came in at $15.71; $12.35; $11.60; $11.33; and $11.18.
Ordering
2015-P Bombay Hook Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins are available from the U.S. Mint via its online product page or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A maximum of 20,000 are available.
Bullion Version
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia also produces bullion versions intended for investors. Bombay Hook Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins debuted on Sept. 28. Sales reached 45,000 by the 29th for a sellout.
Both bullion and uncirculated coins share designs and specifications. In key differences, bullion coins:
- have a brilliant instead of matte finish,
- lack the Philadelphia Mint’s "P" mint mark, and
- do not ship in special U.S. Mint packaging.
The U.S. Mint only sells five ounce bullion coins to authorized distributors, who buy them in bulk at $9.75 per coin plus silver spot and resell them in smaller quantities to dealers or straight to the public. Bullion coins are normally available from precious metals and coin dealers for a few dollars per ounce over their melt value.
