2017 Silver 5 oz America The Beautiful George Rogers Clark Indiana

2017 Silver 5 oz ATB George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

The fifth and final 2017 coin issued in the highly popular America the Beautiful 5 oz Silver coin series proudly honors George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. The historical significance of this site reaches deep into our early years as a nation. The Park was established in commemoration of leadership and accomplishments of General George Rogers Clark during the American Revolutionary War.

An experienced surveyor during the early 1770's, Clark surveyed throughout western Virginia and the Kentucky frontier, becoming very familiar with the area. (Interestingly, George was the older brother of William Clark, who helped lead the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06.) By 1777, the American Revolutionary War was pressing West. Clark, now commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel with the Virginia Militia began developing a strategy to attack British outposts.

In mid 1778, Clark and a relatively small number of militiamen began what has become known as the "Illinois Campaign." They were able to take control of a number of British posts in what is now Illinois and Indiana. Pressing into the very harsh winter conditions of February 1779, Clark and his men pushed on for over two weeks. The plan was to take the British Fort Sackville by surprise. Clark's strategy was overwhelmingly successful, as they were able to seize control of the Fort without firing a single shot.

Though there were many other significant battles that followed, this was the key victory. It is believed that this set in motion what went on to lead the British to cede the entire Northwest Territory to the United States at the 1783 Treaty of Paris. This area included what is now the states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Indiana, stands at what is believed to be the site of the old Fort Sackfield. The Monument was built in 1931, and dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. Although the Monument and its grounds were not established as a National Park until 1966. The memorial building is circular style composed of granite, with sixteen granite columns. The top is capped by a saucer dome with glass panels. Hanging along the rotunda's wall are seven amazing oil on canvas murals, 28 feet tall and stretching 16 feet long. Each contributing a major scene from the history of the area. Prominently positioned in rotunda is an astonishingly striking bronze statue of Clark standing over 7 feet tall.

These beautifully crafted .999 fine silver coins arrive from the U.S. Mint in sealed monster boxes. An ATB monster box contains 10 rolls of 10 coins in each roll making a total of 100 coins. BOLD offers these stunning silver bullion ATBs individually as singles, or in volume.

This George Rogers Clark National Historical Park 5 oz Silver ATB is much more than a beautiful, investment bullion grade collectable coin. It features an awe-inspiring, National historical site. As with all ATB coin releases, the sites represented are true National treasures, having deep historical, cultural or natural significance.

Be sure to check out this National Park Service site for more info on the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park. Then, when your new coins arrive, make it a teachable moment with your kids. Never miss an opportunity to get your children involved!

Highlights

• Contains: 5 Troy oz of .999 fine silver.
• The largest silver bullion coins ever issued by the United States Mint.
• Design of the coins duplicates exactly (though enlarged) each of the America the Beautiful Quarters series.
• Obverse: Common to entire series, depicting George Washington in a restored version of the portrait created by John Flanagan for the 1932 Washington quarter.
• Reverse: The reverse design features General George Rogers Clark leading his militiamen through the harsh, friged winter of 1779 to the strategic capture of the British Fort Sacket, Illinois. The determination of these brave men is revealed on their faces, as they march forward through the near-freezing river. Their long rifles grasped firmly in hand above the waters. This ATB coin design captures a sense of the patriotism and dedication that drove these men forward through the harsh realities of the fight for freedom.
• Reverse Design - Designer: Frank Morris; Sculptor: Michael Gaudioso.
• Edge: Smooth edge inscribed with the coin specifications: ".999 Fine Silver 5.0 Ounce."

History

Authorization for 5 oz 0.999 fine silver ATB coins was enacted in 2008. With the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-456), popular series was born. The designs of America the Beautiful 5 oz coins replicate those of the US Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters. The bullion coins are three inches in diameter and have a nominal face value of 25 cents. These are the first five ounce, three inch, 0.999 fine silver bullion coins ever produced by the United States Mint. The fineness and weight are edge-incused on the coins.

These unique silver bullion coins feature reverse designs depicting national parks and other national sites in each state. Included are District of Columbia and U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands. The coins are being issued in the order each featured site was established as a national park or site. Investors can now choose bullion coins that honor some of our Nation's most treasured national parks and sites. Those featured are amazing, majestic places, which truly make us "America the Beautiful."

Investment Grade Bullion

ATB silver bullion coins are investment-grade bullion coins, with their weight, content and purity guaranteed by the U.S. government. The coins are also legal tender, although their quarter-dollar face value is merely symbolic. ATB silver bullion coins sell at prevailing silver market prices, plus a moderate premium to cover production and other costs. Silver is typically the lowest-priced precious metal; making these bullion coins an affordable choice for most investors and collectors.

Distinguishing Bullion and Uncirculated

There are three ways to distinguish between Bullion and Uncirculated ATBs.

• Under the "In God we Trust" inscription, the uncirculated coins feature a "P" symbol representing the Philadelphia mint, whereas the bullion coins do not have a mintmark.
• Uncirculated coins are vapor blasted after minting, giving them a matte finish, while bullion coins have a shinier finish.
• The uncirculated coin also comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Mint and is placed inside a plastic capsule and then in a mint-issued box.