2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The United States Mint issued a two-coin American Silver Eagle set to mark the 75th Anniversary of the West Point Mint. The West Point Mint was established in 1938 as a bullion depository and was the principal storage location for the United States silver stockpile. Located on the campus of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the facility handled overflow production for the Philadelphia Mint, producing Lincoln Memorial Cents from 1974 to 1986, and Washington Quarters from 1977 to 1979.

Congress gave the facility official mint status in 1988, but the first use of the “W” mintmark came in 1983 with the issuance of the 1983 Los Angeles Olympics $10 gold commemorative coins. The first American Silver Eagle Proof to be struck at the West Point Mint was the key date 1995-W American Silver Eagle Proof. From 2001 onward, West Point was the primary facility used by the Mint to produce Proof Silver Eagles.

The U.S. Mint took orders for the 2013 American Eagle West Point Two-Coin Silver Set starting on May 9 and ending on June 6. The set’s issue price of $139.95 works out to just over $191 in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. The Mint reported sales of 281,310.

How Much Is a 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof Worth?

Those interested in collecting the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof have three purchasing options. One can either purchase the 2013 American Eagle West Point Two-Coin Silver Set, which includes the Reverse Proof and the 2013-W American Silver Eagle Enhanced Uncirculated coin, or the Reverse Proof certified in Proof 69 or 70.

Looking at our 2013-W American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof distribution chart reveals two key points: approximately 1/3 of the entire mintage has been certified, and 70s outnumber 69s at a 1.62:1 ratio. While more than half of the coins certified were submitted within the first two years of release, third-party grading services continue to receive submissions. We expect the total number of coins certified will increase by at least 30,000 in the next 10 years. Therefore, we’d skip the Proof 69 coin in favor of fresh raw coins in original government packaging or Proof 70s. Proof 69s sell for about $100-$110, while sets sell for $160-$180.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS PR70 (17,500, 10/2024), NGC PF70 (39,902, 10/2024), and  CACG MS70 (4, 10/2024).

• PCGS PR70 #28393296: eBay, October 27, 2024 – $121.50. Edmund Moy signature label.
• PCGS PR70: eBay, October 27, 2024 – $152.
• NGC PF70 #3791257-007: eBay, October 27, 2024 – $157.50.
• PCGS PR70 #30113547: eBay, October 27, 2024 – $125. John Mercanti signature label.
• NGC PF70 #3710840-017: eBay, October 26, 2024 – $134.50. Early Releases.
• NGC PF70 #3792963-258: eBay, October 26, 2024 – $142.
• PCGS PR70 #28326287: eBay, October 25, 2024 – $176.

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Design

Obverse:

Adolph A. Weinman’s Lady Liberty is dressed in a flowing gown and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of the United States, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she reaches out an open hand. So large is Lady Liberty that she is superimposed over the obverse legend LIBERTY ringing the obverse – in fact, she obscures half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2013.

The design bears a notable resemblance to sculptor Oscar Roty’s The Sower, a common image on French coins. Numismatist Roger Burdette posited in his book Renaissance of American Coinage (2007) that this was not a coincidence and while Adolph Weinman did not directly copy, he did derive significant inspiration from Roty’s work. Weinman’s Liberty Walking design quickly became one of America’s most iconic numismatic images, used with minor modifications on the American Silver Eagle bullion coin starting in 1986.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon that bears the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. Wrapping around the top of the design is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR wrap around the bottom. The W mintmark of the West Point Mint is located below the branch.

Edge:

The edge of the 2013-W American Silver Eagle bullion coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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