While there have been many unknowns in regards to the United States Mint’s production schedule for the remainder of the year, a couple of product descriptions had caught our eye a couple of months ago. While this year marks the 75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War, September 2 to be exact, you have seen the way the Mint decided to honor the historic event in 1945 with the 2020-W circulating America the Beautiful quarters with the privy mark to the left of George Washington’s profile. But that is not exactly the product descriptions we are referring to.
With still no release date given, there are two products with the 75th Anniversary in mind attached to a Proof Gold and Silver American Eagle. While assumption and speculation remained the name of the game for weeks on end, all of that is over now as the United States Mint has now released product specifications including images and mintages. Let us warn you right now, they are a doozy.
So far, the Mint has released both the Weir Farm Historic Site and American Samoa Park quarters into circulation with the ‘W’ mintmark and a special “V75” privy mark to mark the End of World War II. So it seems, they were trying to tell us something this whole time. Privy marks are the in-thing this year and “V75” will show up on more than just the quarters. Yeah, you guessed it. These brand new Proof Gold and Silver American Eagles will don the same privy mark and change the numismatic landscape once again with another first-ever. With everything going on in the world right now with the global pandemic, this announcement may just be the piece of fat the numismatic hobby needed to chew on until the day comes when a release date is in the foreseeable future.
There are still some unknowns, including the biggest “when” of it all, but we can pass along the information the Mint has given us to mull over.
End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle Gold Proof Coin
Perhaps the surefire attention-getter of the two, the American Eagle One Ounce Gold Proof Coin will be limited to just 1,945 in correlation with the year the Second World War ended (1945). The obverse will be the exact same as the original design of the Proof Gold Eagle with the incorporation of the special privy mark to symbolize the triumph of World War II 75 years ago. “V75” will be stamped to the right of Lady Liberty as the outline of the privy mark actually mimics the aerial view shape of the Rainbow Pool located at West Potomac Park in the nation’s capital. The Rainbow Pool is an essential part of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. which the Mint says prompts “somber reflection, appreciation, reverence, and hope for the thousands who visit each year.”
The Proof American Gold Eagle will have a $50 denomination with a reeded edge and a ‘W’ mintmark on the reverse representing West Point. The Original Government Packaging will correspond to the End of World War II and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The household limit is just one and a price point is still unavailable at this time.
End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle Silver Proof Coin
While the Proof Gold Eagle is sure to make its mark, the Silver Proof Coin will also be in high demand as it is limited to just 75,000. One can only assume that the mintage limit is correspondence to the 75th Anniversary. While that number is higher than last year’s super limited first-ever Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver American Eagle from San Francisco, it still remains in the low mintage category and we all remember how difficult it was to secure that special American Silver Eagle last year.
The obverse of this Proof American Silver Eagle will integrate the “V75” privy mark to the right of Lady Liberty and symbolize the End of the Second World War in 1945. The outline of the privy mark actually mimics the aerial view shape of the Rainbow Pool located at West Potomac Park in the nation’s capital. The Rainbow Pool is an essential part of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. which the Mint says prompts “somber reflection, appreciation, reverence, and hope for the thousands who visit each year.”
Comprised of 99.9% silver and weighing one Troy ounce, the Proof American Silver Eagle will have the $1 denomination with the ‘W’ mintmark on the reverse representing West Point. The Original Government Packaging will correspond to the End of World War II and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The household limit is set at just one and will cost $69.50 per unit.