The second of five 2013-dated strikes to be released as part of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ series will be the 2013 Perry’s Victory America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated Coin. Shown on the reverse of the strike will be a design emblematic of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial located in the state of Ohio.
Coins of the America the Beautiful Silver Uncirculated series are struck by the United States Mint as the numismatic versions of the Mint’s America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins™. The uncirculated series was created under the authority granted the Secretary of the Treasury under 31 U.S.C. §5111(a) (3) to “prepare and distribute numismatic items.”
As numismatic versions of the related bullion coins, each is struck to the same basic specifications and includes the same basic designs as found on the bullion coins. This includes a composition of five ounces of .999 fine silver and a massive diameter of three inches.
The uncirculated coins, when first released, are sold directly to the public by the United States Mint. This differs from the related bullion coins which are sold through a network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above the current spot price of the five ounces of silver contained within each.
A ‘P’ mintmark may be found on each uncirculated coin indicating it was struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia. The bullion coins contain no mintmark which is standard practice for bullion coins from the United States Mint.
Designs for both the bullion and these uncirculated coins are originally created for use on the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. This includes an obverse portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. This portrait has been seen in one form or another on circulating quarters since 1932.
The reverse design of this coin will be emblematic of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial of Ohio. Design candidates for the Perry’s Victory Quarter (and thus this coin) will like be released by the United States Mint in mid-2012 with a final selection announced later in the year.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is found in the state of Ohio. The memorial is described by the National Park Service with:
"Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world."
The memorial was officially established on June 2, 1936, although construction on the site actually started in 1912. Initial construction was led by a multi-state commission but responsibility for the site ultimately ended with the federal government.