The 2010 Yosemite National Park Quarter features a depiction of El Capitan designed by Joseph Menna and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. This rock formation rises over 3,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor and represents the largest monolith of granite in the world. The obverse of the quarter features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan.

Available products include 100-coin bags of Yosemite Quarters from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mints, or a two roll set including one 40-coin roll from each facility. The bags are priced at $35.95 each and the two roll sets are priced at $32.95 each. Products are packaged in canvas bags with descriptive tags or custom wrappers which display the name "Yosemite", the abbreviation "CA", the mint of origin, and the face value of the contents.

The bags and rolls will remain available for one year from the initial release date. Orders may be placed with the United States Mint online at http://usmint.gov/catalog

The product release date corresponds with the circulation release date of the Yosemite National Park Quarter. An official launch ceremony will be held later this week on July 29, 2010, 11:00 AM PT at the Valley Visitor's center, Yosemite Village Loop, Yosemite, California. The ceremony will include music, guest speakers, and a coin exchange. The ceremony is open to the public and will also be webcast live at http://americathebeautifulquarters.gov/

The 2010 Proof Set went on sale July 22, 2010. The price of the set was $31.95, reflecting an increase of $2 compared to the prior year set, despite a reduction in the number of coins. This factor may have weighed on collectors as initial orders came in lower than the prior year. Through the reporting date of July 25, 2010, the US Mint recorded sales 296,379 sets. This compares to opening sales of 437,178 for the 2009 Proof Set.

Last week's report focused on the 2010 Mint Set, which went on sale July 15, 2010. In the past week, the US Mint added sales of 46,321 sets to bring the total to 247,085. This also represents a significant decline from the pace of sale established last year. In this case, it's possible that the slower summer months are impacting comparisons since the 2009 Mint Set went on sale in October. However, the trend from other reports has clearly shown a slow down in US Mint product sales this year, particularly for products which underwent price increases.

Sales of available gold coins showed a jump in this report, likely due to the recent price decrease. The 2010 Proof Gold Buffalo added 799 to bring the total to 23,643. There were 538 of the First Spouse Gold Coins sold across all available options. This represented the highest weekly total in four weeks.

The full US Mint numismatic products weekly sales report appears below. Figures are compiled through July 25, 2010. The first number column indicates total sales through the reporting date and the second number column represents the change since the last report. Figures which are followed by an asterisk (*) are no longer available for sale at the US Mint.

1804 Gold Eagle NGC PF65 Ultra Cameo (Photo: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)

"The 1804 proof gold Eagle is a classic American rarity and the silver pattern is an amazing companion to it.  Both coins are now part of the incredible collection being assembled by Bob R. Simpson of Texas, a connoisseur of numismatic quality and rarity and a long-time client and friend," said Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics.

The gold 1804 $10 (Judd-33), graded NGC PF65 Ultra Cameo, was obtained by Legend from a private collector with the assistance of John Albanese of Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC).  The silver 1804 $10 (Judd-34), graded NGC PF64, was purchased from Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers in Irvine, California.

The coins will be displayed at the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation booth (#704) at the ANA convention.

Silver Proof 1804 $10 Pattern NGC PF 64 (Photo: Rare Coin Wholesalers)

"It's beyond incredible to see these two coins side-by-side.  A silver proof 1804 $10 redefines 'coolness' in my book, and I've handled an awful lot of world-class rarities.  The gold 1804 $10 is so sharply struck it looks like a medal, and it's one of the most beautiful coins I have ever seen," said Sperber.

The purchase and sale prices were not disclosed for these transactions.  The 1804 gold proof Eagle made national headlines in 2007 when it was sold for $5 million, a record price at the time for a certified, encapsulated U.S. gold coin.

Although dated 1804, the coins were struck in 1834 or 1835 with the gold Eagle intended for use in overseas diplomatic gift presentation sets presented on behalf of President Jackson.  The pedigree of this coin includes such famous collectors as Waldo Newcomer, former U.S. Treasury Secretary William H. Woodin and Col. E.H.R. Green.  It was displayed at the opening reception for the Smithsonian Legendary Coins and Currency exhibit in 2005.

"The preparation of diplomatic presentation sets of United States coins circa 1834-35 prompted the minting of this proof-only edition.  As no ten-dollar pieces had been issued since 1804, the Mint Director requested and received several proof examples from dies back-dated to 1804 but prepared for this occasion using technology of the 1830s," explained David W. Lange, NGC Research Director.

The 1804 gold Eagle and 1804 silver Eagle are listed in the standard reference book, United States Pattern Coins (10th edition) by J. Hewitt Judd, M.D.  The gold coin is described on the book's rarity scale as R8 (two to three examples known) and the silver pattern as H7 (four to six known).

"Mr. Simpson's patterns collection is unparalleled.  These two coins now are part of an unprecedented collection that includes such famous rarities as the Amazonian set, a marvelous example of the 1792 silver-center cent (Judd-1) and two quintuple Stellas.  His Bickford $10 patterns set will be displayed as one of the highlights in the Museum Showcase area at the ANA convention in Boston," said Sperber.

For additional information, contact Legend Numismatics at (800) 743-2646, or by email at Legend@LegendCoin.com.

Although a few new aspects of the policy were recently revealed, the US Mint generally bases prices on the average London Fix prices from the prior Thursday AM to the current Wednesday AM. If the average price is within a different range (and the Wednesday PM Fix price agrees), then prices are adjusted accordingly.

The current numismatic gold coin offerings from the US Mint include the 2010 Proof Gold Buffalo and four different First Spouse Gold Coins.  The proof Gold Buffalo was initially released on June 3, 2010 and contains one troy ounce of 24 karat gold. The initial price of $1,510 had remained in place until this week.

The First Spouse Coins are released periodically throughout the year, in a schedule roughly following the Presidential Dollars. Current releases feature Sarah Polk, Margaret Taylor, Abigail Fillmore, and Jane Pierce, available in proof and uncirculated formats. The most recent coin was released on June 3, 2010, priced at $779 for proof coins and $766 for uncirculated coins. This represented the highest starting price for any release of the series to date.

The bill H.R. 4684 had been introduced in the House of Representatives on February 24, 2010 by Jerrold Nadler of New York. In September 2009, Nadler had introduced a bill seeking one ounce silver commemorative coins for September 11. The newer proposal for medals, as opposed to legal tender silver dollar coins, had been introduced  following the approval of two commemorative coin programs for the year 2011 honoring the United States Army and the Medal of Honor. Under current law, only two commemorative coin programs may be approved by Congress for each year.

The authorizing legislation would provide for up to 2 million of the September 11 Silver Medals to be produced. To the extent possible one half of the medals would be stuck at the mint facility at Philadelphia and one half struck at the West Point facility. The medals could be issued starting on January 1, 2011. An ending date for sales is not specified, but no medals may be produced after December 31, 2012.

The design for the medals would be "emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those individuals who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others that day, and the endurance, resilience, and hope of those who survived." Required inscriptions would include the years "2001-2011" and the words "Always Remember". The final designs would be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury following consultation with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Commission of Fine Arts, and review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

The cost of each medal would include a $10 surcharge per medal, paid to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to support operations and maintenance following completion.

In order for the current proposal for September 11 Commemorative Silver Medals to become a reality, the bill must be signed into law by the President.

One of the highlights of the 2010 Proof Set is the first five coins for the new America the Beautiful Quarters Program. This new series will feature a National Park or national site in each of the 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. The new designs will be issued at a rate of five per year, with a final design released in 2021.

Other highlights of the set include the 2010 Lincoln Cent, which features a new reverse design depicting the Union Shield; the 2010 Native American Dollar, with a new reverse design depicting the Hiawatha Belt; and the 2010 Presidential Dollars featuring Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln.

The remaining coins included in the 2010 Proof Set are the 2010 Jefferson Nickel, 2010 Roosevelt Dime, and 2010 Kennedy Half Dollar.

The 14 coins of the set are struck at the San Francisco Mint and carry the "S" mint mark. The coins are packaged in three separate plastic lenses, placed within an illustrated cardboard box with certificate of authenticity. The 2010 Proof Sets are priced at $31.95 each and may be ordered online at http://usmint.gov/catalog

The United States Mint has offered the Proof Set annually since 1968, as well as prior years with some interruption. Together with the Mint Set, these products represent the US Mint's most popular annual sets. The 2010 Mint Set recently went on sale July 15, 2010.

2009 Proof Silver Eagle (not issued)

The American Silver Eagle has been produced since 1986. Each coin contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, with the weight, content, and purity guaranteed by the United States Government. Traditionally, Silver Eagles have been offered as bullion coins, distributed through a network of authorized purchasers, and as collector coins, sold directly to the public. Existing law requires that the United States Mint produce the bullion coins in quantities sufficient to meet the public demand, but there is no requirement to produce the collector versions of the coin.

Related Story: Inefficiencies Cited in US Mint's Bullion Coin Programs

During the past few years,the surging demand for physical precious metals has resulted in periodic suspensions and ongoing rationing of the American Silver Eagle bullion coins. Since late 2008, the US Mint suspended production of the collector versions of the coins, in order to source all incoming blank supplies towards the production of bullion coins. This has resulted in the early sell out of the 2008 Proof Silver Eagle and the cancellation of the 2009 Proof and Uncirculated Silver Eagle.

During a hearing on "The State of U.S. Coins and Currency" held by the House Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, statements by Director Moy revealed that the Subcommittee has been exploring the possibility of amending the law to provide the Secretary of the Treasury with the authority to mint and issue collectible versions of the American Silver Eagle, even if public demand for bullion coins is unmet. The United States Mint provided technical drafting assistance to accomplish the change, although it has not yet been enacted.

If the law can be changed soon, Director Moy indicated that the Mint could produce 200,000 of the collectible Silver Eagles per month. If production began in September, about 830,000 coins could be minted by the end of the year.

Under the program, individuals and businesses may order bulk bags containing 200,000 coins, or $50,000 face value in quarters. All orders carry a 3% processing fee of $1,500 per bag. The pick up of the bulk bags from either the Philadelphia or Denver Mint must be arranged with a properly licensed commercial carrier.

Through June 22, 2010, the United States Mint has sold 97 bulk bags. With 200,000 coins included in each bag, this yields a total of 19.4 million quarters sold through the program. The bulk orders were placed for Hot Springs National Park Quarters and Yellowstone National Park Quarters. The breakdown between the two issues and by mint facility were not indicated.

The number of quarters sold through the Bulk Purchase Program represents a sizable portion of the total mintage. The latest preliminary production figures show 59.6 million Hot Springs Quarters and 68.4 million Yellowstone Quarters produced to date, meaning bulk purchases have taken up 15.16% of the collective mintage.

The United States Mint also currently offers America the Beautiful Quarters through their numismatic bags and rolls program. Bags containing 100 coins or two roll sets including 80 coins are sold to collectors at a premium to face value. Through July 18, 2010, the US Mint has sold 28,795 of the 100-coin bags and 71,563 of the two roll sets across available products for the Hot Springs and Yellowstone National Park Quarters. This represents another 8.6 million quarters.

Taken together, sales through the bulk purchase program and numismatic bags and rolls program account for 28 million quarters, or 21.88% of all America the Beautiful Quarters minted. For a "circulating" coin series, a significant proportion of the mintage is not following the expected path.

The 2010 Mint Set went on sale at the US Mint on July 15, 2010. Through July 18, the US Mint recorded sales of 200,764. In terms of unit sales, this represents the third strongest product debut for the year to date. Earlier this year, the 2010 Presidential Dollar Proof Set had a stronger start with with opening sales of 224,426. The Boy Scouts Silver Dollars also debuted with higher sales of 214,673 coins, across both proof and uncirculated versions.

Sales of the annual Mint Set do seem to be on a slower pace compared to the prior year's set. The 2009 Mint Set went on sale October 1, 2009. The first available sales figures through October 11, 2009 came in at 392,007. This initial sales data covers the first ten days of sales, which accounts for the much higher number. Next week, a direct comparison will be possible.

The slower pace of sales for the 2010 Mint Set may be the result of several factors. First, the 2009 Mint Set set may have experienced a higher level of demand due to the inclusion of the 2009 Bicentennial Lincoln Cents. Many collectors were looking forward to the coins, struck in a special composition of 95% copper. Second, the price of the 2010 Mint Set was increased by $4 compared to last year, despite a reduction in the number of coins included. Some buyers may have been put off by the higher price. Third, the 2010 Proof Set will go on sale later this week. Some buyers may be waiting to order both sets together and save on shipping costs.

The complete weekly sales report of United States Mint numismatic products appears below. Figures are compiled through July 18, 2010. The first number column indicates total sales through the reporting date and the second number column represents the change since the last report. Figures which are followed by an asterisk (*) are no longer available for sale at the US Mint.

The coins are produced with a special satin finish, which differs from the regular finish used for circulating coins. The mint set coins are struck on special presses, using greater force to produce a sharp design with a satin-like finish. This finish has been used for the annual mint set and certain collector sets since 2005.

Each 2010 Mint Set includes the following 2010-dated coins:

• Lincoln Cent
• Jefferson Nickel
• Roosevelt Dime
• 5 America the Beautiful Quarters
• Kennedy Half Dollar
• 4 Presidential Dollars
• Native American Dollar

Several of the coins included in the set feature new or rotating designs. The 2010 Lincoln Cent features the new Union Shield reverse design, introduced this year to represent Abraham Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single and united country. The 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters represent the inaugural year of the series featuring National Parks and other national sites of America. This year's coins feature Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mount Hood National Forest.

All five of the dollar coins included in the set feature rotating obverse or reverse designs. The 2010 Presidential Dollars feature the obverse portraits of the 13th to 16th Presidents of the United States of America- Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln. The 2010 Native American Dollar features the theme "Government - The Great Tree of Peace" with a reverse design portraying the Hiawatha Belt, a visual representation of the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois Confederacy.

The coins included in the 2010 Uncirculated Mint Set are packaged in two separate illustrated folders containing the 14 coins from each mint facility. The sets are priced at $31.95 plus applicable shipping and handling charges.

Orders may be placed online at http://usmint.gov/catalog or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT.