I have a 2011 (s) ASE struck at the San Francisco Mint. It's graded ms70 by ANACS. I'm having trouble locating the "S" mark on the coin. I've looked on the Internet for the location of the "S" but got nowhere. Please help.
Minting history The first American Silver Eagle coin was struck in San Francisco on October 29, 1986.[20] Secretary of the Treasury James A. Baker III presided over the striking ceremony held at the San Francisco Assay Office. According to a Chicago Sun-Times article, as Baker "reached for the electronic button on press No. 105, he turned to the audience and said, 'I don't need a pick and shovel to start the San Francisco Silver Rush of 1986.'"[21] [edit] Bullion Bullion Silver Eagle coins do not have mintmarks. From 1986 to 1998, they were minted at San Francisco. From 1999 to 2000, they were minted at Philadelphia and West Point. Since 2001, they have been minted only at West Point.[citation needed] In March 2011, the San Francisco Mint conducted trial strikes of bullion Silver Eagle coins in preparation for the resumption of full production later in the spring. The added production capacity provided by the San Francisco Mint supplements the output of the West Point Mint.[22][23] [edit] Proof From 1986 to 1992, proof Silver Eagle coins were minted at San Francisco and these coins bear the "S" mintmark. From 1993 to 2000, they were minted at Philadelphia and these coins bear the "P" mintmark. From 2001 to 2008, they were minted at West Point and these coins bear the "W" mintmark.[24] No proof versions were minted in 2009. Beginning again in 2010, the proof coins were minted at West Point and bear the "W" mintmark. [edit] Uncirculated From 2006 to 2008 and beginning again in 2011, the United States Mint issued a collectible uncirculated Silver Eagle coin produced at West Point (bearing the "W" mintmark). The coins are struck on specially burnished blanks and sometimes are referred to as "W Uncirculated" or "Burnished Uncirculated."[25] source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Silver_Eagle If it's the uncirculated coin from the 25th anniversary set, then the mintmark will be quite evident.. pics here >>> http://www.apmex.com/Product/65407/2011_Silver_American_Eagle_25th_Anniversary_5_Coin_Sets.aspx
^^Yes, Dan Unda is correct! There are no mint marks on the San Francisco minted bullion version of the ASE. You just gotta trust ANACS that your bullion grade ASE was minted in SF. "The bullion strikes [from West Point and San Francisco] will be identical, including the absence of any mint mark which is standard practice for bullion products from the United States Mint." http://www.silvercoinstoday.com/san-francisco-2011-silver-eagle-coins/104245/
The Monster Boxes are sealed with evidence of where they were minted (West Point or San Fran), and these Monster Boxes are then sent to the grading services, still sealed. This is the only way the grading services will indicate the location on the label.
Thanks unda for the helpful info. You are a silver wizard. Idog, you answered my next question. We are to simply trust the grading company the coins are authentically minted where they say? Well, hopefully I got what I paid for.
