2012-P Chaco Culture Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin

The United States Mint will begin sales of the 2012-P Chaco Culture National Historical Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin today, July 9, 2012 at 12:00 Noon ET. This will be the twelfth release within the numismatic series.

The reverse design of the coin features a view to the west of two elevated kivas that are part of the Chetro Ketl Complex, the north wall of the Chetro Ketl, and the north wall of the canyon. The common obverse design for the series features the 1932 portrait of George Washington. Despite containing five troy ounces of silver, the coin carries the nominal face value of “Quarter Dollar”. An incuse edge inscription indicates “.999 fine silver 5.0 ounce”.

A bullion version of the coin was released on June 25, 2012 and distributed via the authorized purchaser system. The present release for the numismatic version is sold directly by the US Mint to the public. The numismatic coins feature an “uncirculated finish” which is created through a vapor blasting technique, as well as the “P” mint mark on the obverse.

The 2012-P Chaco Culture Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin carries a maximum mintage of 25,000 coins. There are no household ordering limits imposed and pricing is $204.95 per coin.

During the course of the numismatic series different maximum mintages, household ordering limits, and prices have been imposed. Currently, the five 2011-dated releases featuring Gettysburg, Glacier, Olympic, Vicksburg, and Chickasaw remain available for sale. The first 2012-dated release featuring El Yunque National Forest also remains available, and has sold 10,920 units since going on sale May 29.

Release dates for the remaining 2012-dated coins will be August 13 (Acadia), September 24 (Hawaii Volcanoes), and November 5 (Denali).

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Comments

  1. ClevelandRocks says

    The Chacoan people lived 1000 years ago and are thr Pueblo Indian ancestors with early knowlege of astronomy that had cool rock art carvings, but I hate this choice of the “double toilet” design on the coin and will pass on the ugly design. They should have shown clusters of say 7 or 8 of these, or more detail of one, or some relief of a wall with ancient windows, or something with more eye appeal.

  2. CW says

    I read somewhere that the artist never visited Chaco Canyon. It is only a few hrs drive from Albuquerque. Given that few people know NM even exists, I am not too surprised about that.

  3. Michael in Bama says

    OT:

    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    United States Mint
    Price for the 2012 American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin
    Agency: United States Mint, Department of the Treasury
    ACTION: Notice.
    SUMMARY: The United States Mint is announcing the price of the 2012 American Eagle
    Silver Uncirculated Coin. The coin will be offered for sale at a price of $45.95.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B. B. Craig, Associate Director for Sales and
    Marketing; United States Mint; 801 9th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20220; or call 202-354-
    7500.

  4. DCDave says

    Anyone get through yet to place their Chaco Culture order?
    Should we post our order numbers to get an idea if we will see a sell-out soon? Mine is 399NOTHANKYOUxxx

  5. Jus-a-coin-luvr says

    I don’t see two toilets when I look at the coin and if they were toilets, that would be some mighty large hineys in scale. Better run for cover when one of ’em says “gotta go, my coffee’s kicked in”!

    The coin may not be the most beautiful to some, but I like it and will add it to my collection today. I’m liking all the detail in the stone work and it’s close enough for me. 🙂

  6. TomP says

    DCDave,

    Yes, my phone order went thru at 12:14 on the first try. Amazing.

    I kept telling myself this year that I would cherrypick the offerings to purchase only those that I truly liked. And this one wasn’t on my list. But that collector voice insisted ‘complete the set- complete the set’ of one each ATB-P.

    I enjoy comparing the details against the ‘regular quarters’ but I acknowledge the ‘circus coin’ aspect of them. O well, perhaps my 3 yo granddaughter will enjoy an increased appreciation of the ATB-Ps many years from now (as well as the F.S.s).

  7. Kelly says

    Coin luvr

    I dont see toilets either, I see open cesspools. Even though, I still love coins with history or some other story or place behind it. I am also obsessed with having complets sets whenever possile so I will be ordering three for the grand kids.

  8. Jus-a-coin-luvr says

    Haha…its a Rorschach test that the Mint is using to test your thoughts. Personally, I think I saw Bigfoot in there chasing a naked lady, but maybe not.

  9. Zaz says

    I predict that these will open lower than the El Yunques did a month ago. The spacing is better this year, approximately 5-6 weeks apart, still they should ideally average 10 weeks apart. People that bought the first two years seem to be resistant to buying the 2012-Ps, 25,000 is way too many and the $50+ premium is turning off some, making these fairly collectible in the long run. The bullion numbers bear watching, too.

  10. Nate says

    I think I’m bailing on the series. Too much money for a product with waning interest. As the series goes on and the designs reference more obscure parks I think interest will reduce even more. I don’t see what big event would spark a sudden surge of interest. At least with the FS series for example you have more well-remembered names coming later in the series. A lot of the most notable parks are released in the earlier years of the AtB series (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon).

    I’m abandoning the bullion set too and just will buy a few here and there as I like the design or the location.

  11. Jus-a-coin-luvr says

    Just make sure you have enough of these for a full set of coasters! 🙂

  12. Louis says

    I like the way both the 5 oz P and S-mint quarters for Chaco Culture are being released the same week.

  13. Val says

    My order was place and confirmed about 12:30 PM. I love these 5 ounce coins. Some of them, like Chaco have great detail.

  14. RLP says

    Appreciated the Statehood Quarter series (despite mintage numbers), it was new and seemed to be a fitting series as to subject and history. Not so much so with the ATB effort, felt more like a marketing driven play, and seemed to lack any real justification. Nothing against our National Parks, but for me it was more suitable as a subject for stamps than coins. Hope we return to the traditional reverse, and don’t perpetuate the commemorative-like thinking to become a series for State birds, flowers etc.

    No intent to offend anyone, just throwing in my two-bits worth.

  15. auxmike says

    I actually like this design a lot and find the bricks interesting. I’m avoiding the 5oz due to storgae concerned. Also, the Bullion coins are real nice compared to the overpriced sandblasted version the mint sell….

  16. vaughnster says

    “As the series goes on and the designs reference more obscure parks I think interest will reduce even more. I don’t see what big event would spark a sudden surge of interest”

    I don’t believe interest affects collectors. It certainly would affect flippers however. I don’t know if I’ll make it to the end but I’m collecting both bullion and P sets of the 5 oz’ers. I think long term this will be a heck of a collection.

  17. Shutter says

    As the series goes on and the designs reference more obscure parks I think interest will reduce even more.

    By necessity, most of the parks will be obscure. However, there are many well known parks to come:
    Mt Rushmore
    Everglades
    Arches
    Ellis Island
    Ft McHenry
    Smoky Mountains
    etc.

  18. Mike S. says

    Are the “S” mint quarters rolls and bags going to be available at the ANA show in Philly? Want to wait and pick up a bag of each at the show.. Thanks

  19. Jon in CT says

    Michael in Bama wrote on July 9, 2012 at 12:16 pm:
    SUMMARY: The United States Mint is announcing the price of the 2012 American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin. The coin will be offered for sale at a price of $45.95.

    Thanks for the heads-up. That notice will be published tomorrow in the Federal Register. Sales for this coin will begin on Aug 2. The $49.95 price seems a good deal relative to the $59.95 price the Mint charges for the proof version.

  20. gatortreke says

    I see there are a lot of collectors (at least based on the comments on this board) who don’t like this design but I like it and will likely acquire one each of the bullion and collector versions. I’ve visited Chaco Canyon and the place is worth the visit, maybe that’s why I never looked at the design as a giant “toilet bowl” as some have said, it just never occurred to me after seeing the place in person. To each his own, that’s what makes a market.

  21. Jon in CT says

    So, one could buy five 2012 uncirculated Silver American Eagle coins (5 oz of silver) for $229.75, with final mintage likely to be measured in hundreds of thousands. Or, one could buy the 2012-P Chaco 5oz silver coin for just $204.95, with mintage limited to only 25,000. I know where my money will go.

  22. John says

    Jon in CT says:
    July 9, 2012 at 11:44 pm
    So, one could buy five 2012 uncirculated Silver American Eagle coins (5 oz of silver) for $229.75, with final mintage likely to be measured in hundreds of thousands. Or, one could buy the 2012-P Chaco 5oz silver coin for just $204.95, with mintage limited to only 25,000. I know where my money will go.

    … Yep, just ordered mine plus I added the “S” El Yunque Quarter Roll. I’m thinking about breaking the roll and “Cherry Picking” a few then slowly spending the left over coins.

    Maybe I’ll get lucky and find a “S” Uncirculated El Yunque struck on a 90% Silver Planchet! That would be a cool error to look out for. If the mint could put a Silver Kennedy in the Birth Set by mistake maybe this could also make this year’s error list.

  23. ClevelandRocks says

    Looking forward to sales report today!
    You guys really don’t see the double toilet bowl image? Even has the water tank part behind it…

  24. Jus-a-coin-luvr says

    CR, who’d have thunk, after all these years we’d be gazing upon their bathroom in a $204 silver coin and saying “I really love the brick-work”. You don’t see Bigfoot in there do ya?

  25. says

    Still hoping for a price cut from the Mint before I move on these. Plus, my funds are kind of drained at the moment thanks to Perth Mint. I’m expecting sales of Chaco Culture to be godawful, as bad as or lower than El Yunque, though this is not a bold prediction.

    Also, thanks to the folks who are posting information about the uncirculated silver eagle. I was wondering when that coin would make an appearance.

  26. CW says

    I find it a bit sad that some people would slander another state’s park by calling it a toilet bowl. I don’t hear many people out west slamming cultural sites ‘back east’.

  27. Jus-a-coin-luvr says

    Good point CW, and my comments are strictly in jest. It is “America the Beautiful” and I haven’t seen one of these coins that I didn’t like, including Chaco (which I bought yesterday). They have all represented pieces of the “beauty” of our country for me, and knock wood for employment, I’ll probably collect them all. 🙂

  28. Jim B says

    I will pass on this one and put the 204.00 tords a au55 32-d washington I have my eye on. Like most collectors I like to get whole sets and started to do so with these 5 oz ATB’s but have changed to only getting the ones I realy like. To me they are over priced and the demand has been low. I wont buy another 5 oz ATB till Hawaii comes out.

  29. yeling says

    if the mint can produce (s) mint mark for new quarters. why not produce (s) mint mark for bullion american eagles?. so it won’t confused us the collectors and public. i don’t know what mint intention regarding this one.

  30. ClevelandRocks says

    @CW, chill!
    Read my post near the top from yesterday. Chaco Culture is cool, coin could have been much better. Only looks like a pair of toilet bowls because of what the artist decided to do. We Mid-Westerners get dissed more than anyone. Thank you “chosen one” LeBron…

  31. TheCoinKeeper says

    Whats going to be interesting with this series, is the possibility in a few years, of silver jumping to over $50. Imagine $100 spot silver, and how many complete sets of these will be around.

  32. TomP says

    My order of the Chaco ATB-P yesterday at 12:14 is now showing a status of being shipped today. I can’t remember having a ‘next day shipping’ before. Another indicator of probable low sales volume.

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