AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL 5 OZ CHICKASAW NATIONAL PARK SILVER
Overview
The 2011 America The Beautiful 5 oz. Chickasaw N.P. Silver bullion coin is the tenth issue of the America The Beautiful (ATB) Bullion Coin Program from the U.S. Mint. It is also the fifth and last release for the year 2011. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is rich with a diverse history and landscape. Named after the Chickasaw Indian Nation, who sold a portion of the land to the Federal government in their attempt to preserve this land they considered sacred. Today, the park's streams and lakes provide swimming, fishing, boating, and camping, among other outdoor activities, for its visitors.
United States Mint
The United States Mint began production of the America The Beautiful (ATB) silver bullion coins in 2010. In 2008, Public Law 110-456 America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act passed, authorizing production. The ATB 5 oz. silver bullion coins mark a significant change in the United States Mint bullion coin offerings. Up until 2010, the Mint was only offering one ounce silver bullion coins though the American Silver Eagle program. A total of 56 different coins will be offered over the course of the 12 year ATB program (2010-2021), creating a fascinating display of the USA’s diverse natural beauty. Because they are 5 ounces of silver, they are also a legitimate investment.
The America The Beautiful 5 oz. Chickasaw National Park Silver coin is an official bullion coin of the United States Government. The United States Government guarantees all America The Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins for their purity and weight.
America The Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins are the sister program of the America The Beautiful Quarter Dollar Program, which launched the creation of a variety of different designs on everyday quarters showcasing gorgeous locations around the country. As a companion series, they share the obverse and reverse designs of the quarter dollar. These large 3 inch diameter silver bullion coins are unique to the U.S. Mint. These bullion coins have significantly low mintage numbers compared to other U.S. Mint coins, such as the Silver Eagles. According the United States Mint data, there were a total of 48,700 America The Beautiful 5 oz. Chickasaw National Park Silver Bullion coins struck.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is located in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains in south-central Oklahoma. In the 1830s, the Native American tribes known as the Chickasaw tribe and Choctaw tribe were forced to leave their former land in the Southeastern U.S. They found an area within the Chickasaw nation containing natural fresh and mineral springs. Fearing that the land may be developed, the Chickasaw Indian Nation sold the original 640 acres to the federal government in 1902. This created the Sulphur Springs Reservation, which opened to the public in April of 1904.
The park was re-designated by the United States Congress as Platt National Park on June 29, 1906, named after Senator Orville H. Platt. Senator Platt is responsible for introducing the legislation to establish the area into Sulphur Springs Reservation, protecting the original 620 acres, which contained 32 mineral and fresh water springs. In the 1930s, the park saw significant development to enhance the accessibility to the region. New roads, picnic areas, and camp areas were just some of the new facilities offered to visitors.
In 1976, the United States Congress merged Platt National Park with Arbuckle Recreation Area, then becoming the much larger Chickasaw National Park. This is the only National Park in Oklahoma and has no admission fee, thanks to the Chickasaw arrangement with the United States Government. The United States Mint commemorates the Chickasaw National Park, as well as an important President’s birthday, as part of the America The Beautiful Quarters series.
Design
The reverse or back side design for this 2011 America The Beautiful coin was reviewed by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and Citizens' Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), Mint Director, Secretary of the Interior, as well as the chief executive of the Chickasaw National Park. Ultimately, Treasury Secretary chose Donna Weaver's design, which depicts the Lincoln Bridge, built of limestone and a favorite scenic spot in the park. In 1909, it was dedicated to Abraham Lincoln to celebrate his centennial birthday. The reverse is engraved by the U.S. Mint engraver Jim Licaretz with the inscriptions, “CHICKASAW, OKLAHOMA,” “2011,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (“Out of many, one”).
The obverse or front side features the 1932 portrayal of George Washington, done by John Flanagan. The obverse is engraved with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
Purity and Size
Every America The Beautiful Silver bullion coin is struck with 5 ounces of .999 fine silver into a coin 3 inches diameter. It is much larger than its quarter counterpart, and the 5 ounces of silver contained within the coin is a significant amount. The edge of the ATB Silver Bullion Coin is inscribed with the coin’s fineness and weight. With a .999 fine silver level (99.9% silver), coin investors can be sure there is minimal alloys or filler metal content.
Value
The America The Beautiful Silver bullion coins are an excellent way to add diversity to any precious metal portfolio. The low mintage numbers and 5 oz. of .999 fine silver makes these coins an attractive investment coin option. While the value of their silver content will fluctuate according to the spot price of silver, their have in some cases will outweighed any loss in the market. This is just one of the reasons why investors are turning their attention to these unique U.S. Mint silver bullion coins.
These unique coins honor the rich history and landscapes of the United States of America, and make wonderful additions to collections, portfolios, or to give as gifts. ITM offers free shipping and insurance with any purchase. Discounts are also often available when purchasing larger quantities of these coins, as well as when using a preferred method of payment. Own a piece of commemorative U.S. history that is also a piece of your investment portfolio!
