El Yunque Nationl Forest is located in Puerto Rico and is the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System. The reverse design of the coin features a Coqui tree frost sitting on a leaf and a Puerto Rican parrot behind an epiphyte plant with tropical flora in the background. Inscriptions around the outer edge read "El Yunque", "Puerto Rico", "2012", and "E Pluribus Unum".

The obverse design of the coin contains a portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan for the 1932 Washington Quarter. The inscriptions include "United States of America", "Liberty", "In God We Trust", and "Quarter Dollar".

The US mint offers bags and rolls of the El Yunque Quarters struck on the main production floors of the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. The packaging for each product indicates the name of the park, state abbreviation, year of issue, mint mark, and face value of the contents. The 100-coin bags are available from each mint and priced at $34.95. The two rolls sets contain one 40-coin roll from each mint and are priced at $32.95.

There is no stated maximum product limit or household ordering limit in place. The numismatic bags and rolls are expected to remain on sale for one year from the original release date. The products can be found online at http://catalog.usmint.gov

The El Yunque National Forest Quarters were entered circulation on January 23, 2012.

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The month of January has traditionally been one of the strongest for US Mint bullion sales. This is driven by strong demand for the newly dated versions of the coins from collectors and dealers. The Mint began sales of the 2012 Gold and Silver Eagles on January 3, 2012. For the first time in several years, initial orders were not subject to allocation, as adequate supplies of coins were available to meet anticipated demand. Opening day orders reached 3,197,000 of the one ounce Silver Eagle bullion coins and 37,500 ounces worth of Gold Eagle bullion coins, across the four different sizes available.

For the full month of January 2012, Silver Eagle sales reached 6,107,000. This is significantly higher than sales levels for the prior two months when the Mint sold 1,384,000 coins in November and 2,009,000 coins in December 2011. Compared to the year ago period, the monthly sales total registers a small decline. In January 2011, sales reached a monthly record of 6,422,000.

For January 2012, Gold Eagle bullion sales included 84,500 one ounce coins, 49,000 half ounce coins, 38,000 quarter ounce coins, and 85,000 tenth ounce coins, representing a total of 127,000 ounces. Once again this was higher than the previous two months when the Mint sold 41,000 ounces worth of coins in November and 65,500 ounces worth of coins in December 2010. Compared to the year ago period, the sales total shows a slight decline. In January 2011, sales had reached 133,500 ounces.

The United States Mint distributes American Gold and Silver Eagle bullion coins through a network of authorized purchasers. These authorized purchasers may buy the coins in bulk quantities based on the market price of the precious metals plus a fixed mark up of $2 per silver coin and a percentage mark up of 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% for one ounce, half ounce, quarter ounce, and tenth ounce gold coins. The bullion coins are then resold to secondary dealers and/or the public.

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The coin is designed by military artist Ardell Bourgeois of British Columbia and features a British Sergeant, a Voltigeur Canadian, and an Iroquois warrior united in defense of their border. Behind the group is a map depicting part of the Great Lakes and Southwestern Ontario. The reverse design is encircled by 200 beads near the rim to symbolize the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

The obverse design features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt in 2003.

The 2012 Silver Dollars are struck in 99.99% silver with a weight of 23.17 grams and diameter of 36.07 mm. The proof version of the coin is limited to a mintage of 40,000 and available for $59.95 CDN. The brilliant version of the coin is limited to 25,000 and available for $54.95 CDN.

The Royal Canadian Mint will also include the 2012 Proof Silver Dollar in two types of proof sets. The 2012 Silver Dollar Proof Set includes the silver dollar with every circulating denomination struck in solid alloys. These sets are limited to 40,000 and priced at $99.95 CDN. The 2012 Fine Silver Proof Set will include a selectively gold plated silver dollar with every circulating denomination struck in 99.99% silver.

For additional information or ordering, visit the RCM's website at http://mint.ca/

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The obverse of each quarter features a restored version of the 1932 John Flanagan portrait of George Washington. The reverse of each quarter features a unique design representing one of five national parks or sites:

• El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico
• Acadia National Park in Maine
• Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii
• Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska

United States Mint proof coins are struck multiple times with specially polished dies. The proof blanks are also specially treated, polished, and cleaned to ensure high quality strikes. The resulting coins feature sharp relief, with frosted sculpted foregrounds and mirrored backgrounds. The proof coins included in this set are struck at the San Francisco Mint and carry the "S" mint mark.

The 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set is priced at $14.95, unchanged from the price level for the prior year set. There are no household ordering limits or specified maximum production limits imposed.

Since 1999, the United States Mint has offered separate proof sets containing only the year's quarters, in addition to the annual sets containing all of the year's circulating coin denominations. The full 2012 Proof Set will be released at a later date.

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From the effective date, new replica listings and replica relistings will not be allowed. Existing listings will be allowed to expire. eBay defines replica coins as "a copy or reproduction of an actual coin, including U.S., foreign and other historic coins."

The policy will help ensure compliance with the Hobby Protection Act, which requires replica coins to be permanently marked with the word "COPY".

PNG President Jeffrey Bernberg enthusiastically endorsed eBay's decision to eliminate listings of replica coins:

"The new eBay policy is very positive for consumers.  Most of us who have been in the coin business for any length of time have encountered numerous people who have been hurt by replicas -- both financially and emotionally.  I personally have seen dozens of cases of people mistakenly thinking they had a real gold coin but it was merely one of the a base metal, plated "Baldwin $10" replicas distributed in the early 1960s as a give-away in cereal boxes.  People truly believed these were genuine gold pieces simply because they'd been in the family for 40 or 50 years.  The new eBay policy set forth with PNG's collaboration will have a lasting, positive effect for decades and even for generations to come."

As part of eBay's commitment to buyers and sellers in the coins category, they are collaborating with the coin collecting community to ensure the experience on eBay meets industry standards and is an effective destination for coin buyers and sellers. Several eBay representatives were in attendance at the PNG members meeting held at the recently concluded 2012 FUN show. As part of its work with the PNG, eBay will be setting up a program to better educate collectors about the PNG and its member dealers.

PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman added:  "Stay tuned for more exciting announcements over the coming year – this is only just the beginning.  eBay is committed to working with PNG to grow the business of its member dealers."

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The reverse design of the coin depicts the U.S.S. Cairo on the Yazoo River. The ironclad gunboat is shown as it would have appeared while serving in the Union Navy during the Civil War. Inscriptions around the outer edge include “Vicksburg”, “Mississippi”, “E Pluribus Unum” and “2011″. The reverse was designed by Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by Joseph Menna.

The obverse of the coin carries the John Flanagan portrait of George Washington used for the 1932 Washington Quarter. Inscriptions include “United States of America”, “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, and “Quarter Dollar”. The edge of each coin includes incuse lettering indicating the weight and fineness “.999 Fine Silver 5.0 Ounce”.

The Vicksburg Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is limited to a total mintage of 35,000 coins. The US Mint will impose an ordering limit of five coins per household for the first week of release. After this point, the limit will be re-evaluated and either extended, adjusted, or removed.

Each coin is priced at $204.95 plus applicable shipping and handling. Orders may be placed online at http://catalog.usmint.gov.

Three previous releases of the series featuring Gettysburg National Military Park, Glacier National Park, and Olympic National Park also remain available for purchase. The prices for these coins were recently reduced to $204.95.

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The US Mint uses a flexible pricing policy for numismatic gold and platinum coins, which allows adjustments to be made as often as weekly based on the average market prices of the metals. Before the adoption of the policy, pricing changes needed to be published in the Federal Register, which could result in lengthy sales suspensions.

The average weekly prices for gold and platinum are calculated based on the London Fix prices from the previous Thursday AM to the current Wednesday AM. If the average weekly prices moves into a different tier (established at $50 intervals for gold and $100 intervals for platinum), then product prices are adjusted based on the precious metals content. As an additional criteria, the Wednesday PM London Fix price must agree directionally with any potential change.

Pricing updates were made effective on Wednesday. The basis for the newly effective prices is a weekly average gold price within the $1,600 to $1,649.99 range, one tier higher than the previous range. Prices were adjusted for the remaining 2011 Proof Gold Eagles, 2011-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle, 2011 Proof Gold Buffalo, and 2011 First Spouse Gold Coins.

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The reverse design of the coin features the original Mary Gillick uncrowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The inscriptions include "Diamond Jubilee" and the precious metal content "1/4 oz 9999 Gold". The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy with the "2012" date and legal tender denomination of "25 Dollars".

Each coin has a diameter of 20.60 mm and thickness of 2.00 mm. The coins are presented in a display case with an illustrated shipper and numbered certificate of authenticity.

This issue has a mintage of just 1,000 pieces with orders limited to one per customer. As of January 12, 2012, only 60 remain available to be ordered. A 2 ounce proof gold coin featuring a similar design and a genuine diamond sold out quickly after its release in November.

For further information and ordering, please visit the Perth Mint's product page.

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"PCGS-certified coins ruled the day at the recent FUN show. Record prices were realized for a 1793 Chain cent as well as an 1829 large date $5, both bringing $1.38 million in the Heritage Platinum Night auctions.  Strong prices were also realized for Denis Loring's 1793 large cent collection as well as Dr. Steven Duckor's collection of Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles," said Don Willis, President of PCGS, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc.

The Chain cent (S-4) once owned by legendary Baltimore banker Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. is graded PCGS MS65 Brown.  The 1829 Half Eagle gold piece (BD-1), formerly in the famous Garrett Collection, is graded PCGS Secure Plus PR64.

Heritage officials reported that Dr. Duckor's 52-piece Saint-Gaudens $20 collection realized $5.68 million, as 33 of the coins set or tied record prices for their date and grade.

"It was very exciting, and Heritage did a fabulous job with a memorable catalog; 170 pages devoted to 54 lots of my collection, and with extensive comments by David Akers," said Dr. Duckor.

"I really like PCGS, and with only two exceptions, PCGS-graded coins are the only ones I've bought since 1989.  Their Population Reports, grading accuracy, consistency and transparency of the company are all phenomenal.  They're the best for grading gold.  My 'mantra' has always been to buy the very best quality you can afford -- even stretching to buy the best including mortgaging my home! -- and don't 'flip' coins.  I've now added another mantra: Buy the coin AND the holder.  The (PCGS Secure) Plus grades have brought coins to a new level.

Dr. Duckor said the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles from his collection benefited from PCGS Secure Plus grading, and he cited several examples: 1910 PCGS MS66+ sold for $54,625; 1911 PCGS MS67 $184,00, and 1928 PCGS MS67+ $54,625.

Twelve varieties of 1793 large cents from Loring's collection were offered and sold in the auction, all of them graded AU53 and AU58 by PCGS.

"I'm more than happy with the results.  I received a number of kind compliments on the quality of the coins.  Heritage did a terrific job both cataloging and marketing the collection," said Loring.  "I'm still actively collecting, as I have non-stop since 1955.  I'm very fortunate to have found a hobby that has given me great pleasure, and through which I've met so many fascinating people."

Underlying the continuing strength of the market for high-quality, rare U.S. coins, Heritage reported more than 7,000 bidders participated in the auction, vying for 9,420 U.S. coins in an auction that resulted in nearly $56 million in winning bids.  All prices quoted include the 19.5 percent buyer's premium.

Photo Credits: Heritage Auctions

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The America the Beautiful Quarters Program features national parks or sites from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia depicted on reverse designs for the quarter dollar. The designs are released at a rate of five designs per year, with the program scheduled to run from 2010 to 2021.

Reverse designs for this year feature El Yunque National Forest, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Acadia Naitonal Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Denali National Park and Preserve. These coins represent the eleventh to fifteenth releases within the overall series. The order of release is based on the dates the sites were first federally designated.

The coins are struck at the San Francisco Mint and carry the “S” mint mark. The coins are minted using specially prepared, highly polished dies, which produce coins with mirrored backgrounds and frosted cameo images.

The 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set is priced at $42.95, with no specified product limit and no household limits imposed. Orders may be placed for the sets online at http://catalog.usmint.gov/

Looking ahead, the United States Mint has scheduled the release of the clad version of the America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set on January 17, 2012. The 2012 Presidential Dollars Proof Set is scheduled for release on February 23, 2012.

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