The 2015 Homestead America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coin is the first of five 2015-dated releases of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ series. Shown on the reverse of the coin will be a design emblematic of Homestead National Monument of America located in the state of Nebraska.
This specific coin also marks the twenty-sixth to be issued by the US Mint as part of the series. The program debuted with five 2010-dated strikes and features a release rate of five per year until the final of fifty-six total coins of the series is issued in 2021.
Each coin of the series is struck from five ounces of .999 fine silver and features a diameter of three inches. These specifications are also the same as used for a related series of bullion coins from the US Mint known as the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins™.
In fact, this series of silver uncirculated coins is struck by the US Mint as the numismatic versions of those bullion coins and also features the same basic designs. The designs themselves are also featured on yet a third US Mint series, the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.
Congress authorized both the quarters and the bullion coins as part of the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 which became Public Law 110-456. Under the law, the quarters and the bullion coins are to feature unique reverse designs emblematic of selected sites of national interest from around the United States, the District of Columbia and the five US territories.
A further requirement for the quarter dollars and bullion coins dictates that the obverse shall be the same on all of them. They all depict the John Flanagan portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. This portrait first appeared on circulating quarter dollars in 1932 and has been seen in one form or another on quarters ever since.
Since these uncirculated coins are struck as numismatic versions of the bullion coins, the obverse and reverse imagery of those bullion coins (and the related quarter dollars) is also used on these uncirculated coins. One difference between the designs of the quarters and the designs of the bullion coins and uncirculated coins is the use of an edge inscription.
On both the bullion and silver uncirculated coins, the US Mint places an edge inscription indicating each coin’s weight and fineness. The edge inscription reads "999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE."
The reverse design for the Homestead America the Beautiful Coins (including this silver uncirculated strike) should be unveiled by the US Mint sometime in late 2014.
Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska
Homestead National Monument of America is located in the state of Nebraska. It was established on March 19, 1936 to recognize the importance of the Homestead Act of 1862 to the development of the United States as well as to acknowledge those individuals who participated in the land acquisition authorized by the Act.
Under the terms of the act, individuals were given the chance to obtain 160 acres of land for no charge. All the individuals had to do was to file a claim, live on the land for five years while making improvements and then file for a deed.
The National Park Service describes the Homestead National Monument of America with:
"FREE LAND was the cry!!"
:The Homestead Act of 1862 brought about significant and enduring changes to the United States. By giving government land to individuals in 30 states this law allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American Dream. Over 1.6 million people rose to the challenge and claimed 270 million acres. Immerse yourself in this story. Discover the enduring impacts upon the land and all its people."