San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

in one ounce, and the BARS in 10-ounce and 100 ounce varieties.

I found this out reading the current mailed Coin World on page 22; issue mailed 12-8-08.

Okay here's the story in thumnail form - the real short version. The Frisco Mint started in 1854 before that it was the "U.S. ASSAY Office" which made those $50 slugs prior to becoming the Official US Mint 1854.

In 1874 they made a new mint bldg. called the "S.F. Granite Lady." That lasted until Then in 1937 came the third bldg. However on 1955 they shut down this facility - but in 1962 they made it again "United States Assay Office at S.F. by Public Law 87-534."

They made a few regular and special proof sets from 1964-65 onward until back to a real mint in 1988.

SO........... I have a few coins that say on the front:

Minted from the United States Stockpile Silver - 1981 (around the coin)
Formally stored at U.S. Assay Office San Francisco C C (inside front)

One Troy Ounce Silver Trade Unit (outside rear)
31.1 grams .999 fine silver with an eagle & US flag (inside rear)

I always noted the high relief rather stong letters & perfection of these looking MS68 'ish coins.

Now, however, I realize why I liked them (especially the 100s, right?) because they were actually made in the ex-officio San Francisco mint on standby. I had written and had been published via a true historical crime adventure action novel about early California in the 1850s: so I knew about the U.S. Assay Office - I just never had seen an article putting the 1980s with the earlier history of 1849-1854 - that's all.

So you lucky folks out there with those coins and bars be aware what you have:23_1_22:. Now this is after the Hunt Boyz and after the fall of the big silver rush of 1971-1981 when they pushed out the supply to flood the marketplace - but that's a nother historical story.

Please get a copy and read the one-page article if you are INTO the San Francisco Mint as far as collecting.

In the same issue is a 1923 Peace Dollar called VAM something which is worth a couple of thousand in MS64 ish state. Boy did I pull out my few and use a loop to check that out as they were already in NGC MS64 shells already.

But alas they did not turn out like my 1909-DOUBLE "D" Saint AU58 (I bought on Ebay for over a grand last year and had ANACS regrade it RIGHT and place in Blue Holder upgrade for only $5.00 - now that's a deal!:23_1_22:) - then there are the 1911-DDs thay again is another story - as are a few others. I due lOve the Saint error coins. :23_1_22::23_1_22::23_1_22:

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

Great post. These are probably my favorite rounds because they are the most "official" looking silver rounds out there. Widely recognized and there are a ton of them. Gotta get my hands on that article.
http://www.coinpage.com/images/coins/P7010070s.jpg
http://www.coinpage.com/images/coins/P7010071s.jpg

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

The bottom LINE IS THAT the "San Francisco MINT was renamed The United States Assay Office" by PUBLIC LAW FROM 1962 TO 1988. (Like they were from 1850 to 1854 too)

In 1988 they became a U.S. Mint again.

And they were also the refiners for the other MINTS from 1955.

I wish it was available on-line but only the next issue is right now. :signs14:

The books are at the coin stores however. :ARMS1:

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

Great info. So it's safe to say that these are basically gov't issued rounds.
IMO, these should fetch a premium at least equal to Prospectors, but I like that they don't as these are my first choice when picking out of dealer's bins.

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

Key word is should...I dont think they fetch much more premium than your generic round. People seem to forget that before there were Silver American Eagles, there were Silver Trade Units from the Assay Office. Eagles look nice but I'd take these US Minted Rounds before I take an Eagle. Much more history to them and look a lot cooler thaN Eagles

-Manny
Who thinks Silver Trade Units are COOL

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

My earlier research indicated that the rounds were "Minted From U.S. Strategic Stockpile Silver Formerly Stored At U.S. Assay Office San Francisco" by Continental Coin (CC). In other words, a private mint coined the rounds out of silver sold by the government.

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

Thanks for the info...I still think though that they are some of the coolest looking rounds out there. A little bit of history on it, specific sliver weight and cool design.

Re: San Francisco Mint did the 1981 US Assay Office Silver Coins...
 

I'd BUY that. Wonder where CONTINENTAL COIN was located?



Best wishes,

HS :wink: