Today at noon ET, the United States Mint will introduce its second product of the month, the 2020-P Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin.
This 3-inch coin for coin collectors features a reverse (tails side) image emblematic of the national site in Kansas. It will be familiar to many as it also appears on earlier issued Tallgrass Prairie quarters. The quarter and 5-ounce "America the Beautiful" series debuted in 2010 and presents five designs annually with one recognizing a site of national interest in each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. Territories. The final design is due next year.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was established Nov. 12, 1996 and today protects 10,894 acres of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. In addition to the natural make-up of the region, the preserve also offers a bison herd and the remains of the Spring Hill/Z-Bar Ranch.
Coin Designs and Specifications
Emily Damstra created the Tallgrass Prairie coin design while Renata Gordon sculpted it. Shown is a skyward view of a Regal Fritillary butterfly against a backdrop of Big Bluestem and Indian grasses. The grasses are native to the region.
Inscriptions around the scene read "TALLGRASS PRAIRIE," "KANSAS," "2020" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Obverses (heads side) of all America the Beautiful coins share John Flanagan’s portrait of the first President of the United States. The likeness of George Washington has appeared on quarter dollars since 1932, with some digital modifications made for these releases.
Obverse inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
Unlike the reeded edges of quarters, the large silver coins have a smooth edge with inscriptions of "999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE."
Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin Specifications
| 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 |
Ordering
The U.S. Mint’s product page for silver coins is the place to visit for ordering a 2020-P Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin.
Pricing is $229 with a listed maximum mintage of 13,750.
Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins
Besides the aforementioned quarter dollars and 5-ounce silver uncirculated coins, the U.S. Mint also produces 5-ounce silver bullion coins bearing the same designs.
The bullion coins have a brilliant finish unlike the vapor blast finish of the uncirculated variety. In addition, they have no mintmark, although they are also made at the Philadelphia Mint, and they are sold through the U.S. Mint’s network of authorized purchasers instead of directly to the public. The Mint reports sales of 45,000 for the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coin.
