Effigy Mounds National Monument Silver Coin
The America the Beautiful coin series began in 2010 as a tribute to the United States’ national parks and monuments. With five coins being released each year, the series will run until 2021. The Effigy Mounds bullion coin is the first release in 2017.
Front/Obverse
On the obverse, the Effigy Mounds coin features a classic portrait of George Washington that is present on all U.S. quarters and ATB silver coins.
Rear/Reverse
The reverse of the Effigy Mounds coin, designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Renata Gordon, shows an aerial shot of mounds created by American Indians hundreds of years ago to honor their deceased. While the coin only shows 3 mounds, there are over 200 at the site. Inscriptions include EFFIGY MOUNDS, IOWA, 2017, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Brief History
Effigy mounds were once a pivotal part of American Indian culture, especially in the Midwest region of the United States. The 200 mounds found in the Effigy Mounds National Monument are credited to the Eastern Woodland people. They are unique due to their likeness to bears, birds, and other creatures. It is estimated that the Eastern Woodland Indians built the mounds beginning around 500 BCE and continued until the arrival of the Europeans.
The Effigy Mounds National Monument was established in 1949 to protect these sacred monuments and the area encompasses over 2,500 acres along the Iowa side of the Mississippi River today. The monument sees over 80,000 visitors per year.
Coin Facts
- Mint: U.S. Mint (West Point)
- Type: Bullion (Investment)
- Mintage: Minted in 2017, final mintage yet to be determined
- Silver Content: 0.999 fine silver
- Diameter: 76.2 mm in diameter (3 in.)
- Thickness: 3.25 mm in thickness (0.128 in.)
- Weight: 5 troy ounces (155.5g)
- Face Value: $0.25
- Coin Highlights:
- Contains 0.999 fine silver
- Coin quality is guaranteed by the U.S. Mint
- Final designs for the America the Beautiful series are chosen by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
- The Effigy Mounds National Monument coin is the first coin released in 2017 and the 36th America the Beautiful coin overall
- The silver bullion coin’s diameter (3 in.) is unique for the U.S. Mint
Why Buy?
America the Beautiful Silver Coins have both numismatic and traditional investment value. The US Mint began minting ATB silver coins in 2010 with five designs released each year. Each design in the series is minted for a finite time, and consequently has a limited mintage. The limited mintage increases the collectibility of each coin, and the numismatic value.
Additionally, each coin in this series consists of five troy ounces of .999 fine silver that is guaranteed by the United States Government, and is qualifies for a self-directed precious metals IRA. Investing in silver bullion is a strategy that savvy investors employ to hedge against inflation and diversify their retirement portfolio.
Check out the Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge silver bullion coin or browse the other coins we have available from the America the Beautiful Collection.