The National Parks Quarters program (HR 6184) has now passed the Senate by unanimous consent. In case you don’t save these State quarters as a hobby, I’m sure you have been handling them each day in change. They are very popular with collectors…but the quarters were not real silver….until now!  Check out the silver versions.

National Parks Quarters Numismatic Items
The bill provides for the issuance of numismatic, or coin collectors’ versions, of the National Parks State Quarters. The U.S. Mint is authorized to strike collectors’ versions of the standard coins in Uncirculated and Proof finishes, plus versions in 90% silver.

3-Inch Silver Bullion 5-Ounce Coins

The legislation also calls for the creation of a new type of coin. A 5-ounce .999 fine silver bullion coin measuring 3 inches in diameter is to be struck and sold as an “investment product.” These 5-ounce coins will bear the same designs as their circulating counterparts. Additionally, these coins will have incused edge lettering that states their bullion content in weight and fineness. The face value will be twenty-five cents, since these coins are an exact replica of the circulating designs (except for the edge.)

There are strict requirements about when these 5-ounce coins may be sold. They cannot go on sale before Jan. 1 of the year in which their circulating counterparts are being issued, and the U.S. Mint will not be permitted to sell them after Dec. 31 of that same year. The bill also has a provision for the Director of the National Park Service to be able to buy the 5-ounce coins directly from the Mint for resale in National Parks gift shops.

Who votes with us for a 100% return to silver coinage?

Special thanks to Susan’s Coins Blog for pointing this out to us.