It was in the Millions, but the Moron on HSN selling coins got hundreds of the unknowing to pay $1999.99 for one, claiming the Congratulations set Silver Eagle 2016-W Proof was the rarest ever produced at 6000. The Mint stopped stuffing those cardboard Congratulations sleeves because they weren’t selling. The
1995-W proof is the rarest ASE at 30,125 being minted. The only way to get that Coin was to Purchase the complete 10th anniversary set of Coins, which contained the $ 5, 10, 25, 50 Gold Coins and the 1995-W Proof ASE. The 2016-W proof could be had several ways.

-NumisDudeTX

Since the 2016 Uncirculated Burnished finish ASE $1 coin is on the Mint’s official product list with an assigned product item number, I expect them to produce the coin. It is currently on the TBD status as to when it will be released for sale. Of course, they still have about 3.5 months to do so.
Nothing is set in stone with Mint products except those required by Congress through public law signed by the president, but it is a very popular coin finish & I would be shocked if they didn’t produce it for sale during this special 30th anniversary year as they would make major profits on this version issued almost every year since 2006.

-NumisDudeTX

Would most certainly agree with the crux of your statement. But, there are still a ‘few’ that can provide some insight. I remember the call center in Maryland as there were ‘experienced’ staffers which provided additional information in being highly useful. In its entirety, I believe you have presented the facts successfully and without any bias.
* Irrespective on the above, what is your opinion as to the Uncirculated (W) being released in 2017?

The private vendor company employees at the Mint’s call center in Texas are very kind & professional in my experience, but they are not numismatic experts of course & they often do not know about numismatic public law specifics & usually are not aware of info in the Mint’s press releases sent from Mint headquarters in Washington D.C. They only know what is on the website for all to see. They have often answered with “no information on that at this time,” when in fact the Mint’s own press releases have stated otherwise or the specifics of public law state otherwise. They are there to take product orders & answer very basic order status questions only. They are not official spokespersons for the Mint. If you want the full story, you have to contact the Mint’s spokesman Michael White in Washington D.C. in their Office of Corporate Communications headed by Tom Jurkowsky & you have to keep abreast of numismatic-related legislation & public laws pertaining to coins & medals.
I remember back in the 1980s & early 1990s when US government employees ran the call center in Lanham, Maryland not far from Washington D.C. & they knew a lot more information since they were in the loop so to say as official government employees. When the Mint outsourced the call center to private companies the sharing of information started to decrease unfortunately.

-NumisDudeTX

Just a thought. If the Uncirculated (W) are not released by year’s end, that would eradicate the mandate as imposed by the President > ‘All bet’s are off’.

According to the U.S. Mint there has not been a determination as to the edge lettering on the ‘uncirculated W’). I did make mention of the mandated coin act being dressed with the incused lettering ‘but’ they said , “We do not know at the current time”, further adding, “How they come is how you shall receive them”. Whether the information can be received at face value would be for the person to decide. They’re pretty honest though.

* The U.S. Mint maintains a quality control area, along with the Mint police. It would be very difficult for an ‘error’ to occur without the Director’s knowledge. Some Mint employees have been embarrassed some years back in trying to hide ‘error’ coins within the plant. The plan was unsuccessful as they admitted to the deed.