Last week, the US Mint caught the market off guard with a surprise sell-out. The 2018 Pictured Rocks ATB coin—the first of the 2018 America the Beautiful series—ended production with a paltry mintage of just 20,000. To put this number in perspective, the US Mint typically strikes millions (if not tens of millions) of Silver Eagles each year. Even collector-edition coins, like Proof Silver Eagles or modern commemorative Silver Dollars, often have mintages in the hundreds of thousands. Simply put, 20,000 is a tiny number for any modern US Mint product.
What does this mean for collectors and investors? If you were one of the lucky buyers who acted early, you picked up a new rarity at a bargain price. At just 20,000 coins, the 2018 Pictured Rocks ATB is tied for the lowest mintage in the America the Beautiful series. It joins the 2012 Denali, 2012 Hawaii, 2017 Ozark, and 2017 Frederick Douglass issues in the 20k mintage club.
What if you haven’t bought already? Not all is lost. While it’s true that market prices are up in the past week or so, the Pictured Rocks ATB is still available at reasonable prices. As of this writing, a limited number of coins were still available in the $105 to $110 range. By comparison, some of the other 20,000 mintage ATBs (like the 2012 Hawaii and Denali) are fetching double or even triple melt. That is, if you can even find them! With such tiny mintages, these coins are quite difficult to source.
Just as one ATB coin sold out, the US Mint gave details on another. While no more Pictured Rocks coins will be made or offered by the mint, they are gearing up for the 2018 Apostle Islands ATB. This coin is expected to make landfall in late April, but Provident is beginning to accept pre-orders now. There’s no guarantee as to how many coins will be made, but if recent history is any indication, another tiny mintage could be in the cards.
We’re offering a limited number of 2018 Apostle Island ATBs on a pre-sale basis at special introductory premiums. For approximately the same premium as 2018 Silver Eagles, you can own these attractive and impressive 5 oz ATBs. Original US Mint tubes and boxes are being made available for as little as $2.99 per ounce over spot. Not only are these a great way to own US government-issued silver, but they stand to be valuable collectibles. The combination of modest bullion premiums and ever smaller quantities makes ATB coins a fantastic bet for shrewd silver buyers.
Have you been collecting ATB silver coins? Which is your favorite design so far?
Thanks for allowing me to act early and gobbled up my fair share of this good looking and low mintage coin.
Enjoy it, David!
This is a great series! For about the same premium as ASEs and other well known coins you get a unique piece. Combined with the low mintage and potential for high appreciation that others in this series have been getting it’s hard to pass them up. Coins are like being able to see the quarter size ones with a magnifying glass as you can see the detail in these almost hand sized coins. I also like the 5oz size as a quick way to accumulate volume.
I tend to agree with Peter’s comment but realize limited editions are well.. Limited-time. I am on a ATB collecting kick right now myself but also have a budget each payday. Right now I look for any of them with birds and then will switch to historical coins themed with the revolutionary war.. War of 1812..then the Civil war issues. That’s my plan of interest for now, then see what happens. Yes, it would be nice to have them all but if you develop a plan to acquire them in such a manner, then the sticker price won’t seem as bad. Again, all these ATB issues are great and bound to increase in value over time. Provident is a great source to find them!
Good luck with your collection, Ron!
Over Spot Charges….are too High!!!!
Unfortunately, that tends to happen with sovereign coins, especially when they are in high demand and low supply. If you’re looking for lower premiums, try privately minted silver rounds and bars.