On November 29, 2011 the United States Mint began selling the eighth coin in the numismatic version of the America of the Beautiful five Ounce Silver Bullion Coin Program - (NP8) the 2011-P Olympic National Park 5 Ounce Uncirculated Silver Bullion Coin, which recognizes the Olympic National Park in Washington state.
2011-P Olympic National Park 5 oz Silver Bullion Coin
The obverse side of this five ounce silver coin is set with the image of George Washington, who served as the first President of the United States. This portrait view of George Washington, restored by John Flanagan, is consistent on the obverse side of all the silver bullion coins in the series.
The reverse side of this coin features an image of Olympic National Park. The image was designed by Susan Gamble, and sculpted by Michael Gaudioso. A Roosevelt elk stands majestically on the edge of the Hoh River, which winds back into the distance. Mount Olympus rests in the background, and Evergreen trees surround the scenery. The Olympic National Park spans almost 1,000,000 acres in the northwest part of Washington state, and is a travel destination for millions of visitors every year.
Olympic National Park
The Mint is selling this coin for $229.95, and a maximum mintage of 35,000 coins. Currently, three other coins in the series are still for sale by the Mint. The Mount Hood, Gettysburg, and Glacier Park coins have not sold out. The 2010 coins have a maximum mintage of 27,000, while the 2011 coins have a maximum mintage of 35,000 coins. As of last week, Mint sales show the following sales for the series:
| AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL 5 OZ UNC COINS | ||
| 2010-P Hot Springs National Park Coin | 27,000 | Sold Out |
| 2010-P Yellowstone National Park Coin | 27,000 | Sold Out |
| 2010-P Yosemite National Park Coin | 27,000 | Sold Out |
| 2010-P Grand Canyon National Park Coin | 26,019 | Sold Out |
| 2010-P Mount Hood National Park Coin | 25,471 | 153 |
| 2011-P Gettysburg National Park Coin | 15,463 | 220 |
| 2011-P Glacier National Park Coin | 12,574 | 365 |
Interest in the series has steadily decreased since the rapid sellout of the first coin in the series, which paid tribute to the Hot Springs National Park. That coin only took two weeks to sellout.
The first four coins were sold for $279.95. Initially, the Mount Hood National Forest coin was priced at $279.95, but was changed to $229.95 when spot silver moved lower in price. Spot silver is currently trading at around $32. That represents a $70 premium for the Olympic National Park 5 ounce Silver Bullion Coin with P mint mark.
Each .999 fine silver silver coin in the series weighs five Troy ounces, is 3 inches in diameter, and contains a special vapor blasted finish, which the 5 ounce silver bullion counterparts do not have. These numismatic coins also carried the "P" mint mark.
The mint currently has the ninth and 10th coins in the series listed on their product schedule page, but they are listed as "TBD" status. It's likely they will be for sale in 2012.
This series has a number of years to go. These early coins may be keys to the series at a future date, as the coin collecting public becomes more aware of their existence.