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1999-W G$5 Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagles. The Y2K scare of 1 1999-W[G$5] Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagles.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Bullion Start Price:260.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1999-W G$5 Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagles. The Y2K scare of 1 1999-W[G$5] Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagles.
<B>1999-W<G$5> Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagles.</B></I> The Y2K scare of 1999 was the apparent cause for a unique issue of gold bullion coins. There was heavy demand for fractional gold eagles due to the possible collapse of world financial markets. People wanted to be prepared to barter if necessary.<BR> Prior to 1999, and subsequently, the "W" mintmark had only been placed on proof gold eagles. It is our consignor's contention that the Mint was unprepared for the demand for fractional gold eagles and did not have enough non Mint-marked bullion dies on hand to meet this demand. Consequently, mint personnel put previously used proof dies into use for the bullion program. That action places these two issues into the Emergency Issue category, similar to the 1942/1 dime. The tiny estimated mintages that are listed below support this concept.<BR> Another argument for this categorization of Emergency status is that none of the W Mint-marked bullion coinage was discovered until long after the last 1999 issue had been struck, indicating that these were among the last coins struck and sold. Others posit that it is simply an error; not intentional and is coincidental with the Y2K panic. There is no consistency of opinion among the professional services that grade and encapsulate coins as to what this unique issue is, and obviously the last word has not been rendered on these pieces. Regardless, it remains the only gold bullion issue that carries the "W" mintmark and is the key coin in both the five dollar gold eagle and ten dollar gold eagle collections.<BR> In the $25 gold eagle series, the 1991, with a mintage of more than 24,000 coins, is now regularly selling for over $1000. The silver and gold eagle bullion programs are now 20 years old and the collector base continues to grow.<BR> The following two lots have been assembled coin by coin over the past several years, without regard for the numerical grade, or whether they were encapsulated or not. The consignor felt and still feels that all the Uncirculated coins have significant importance. This is an unprecedented and extremely important offering.<BR><B>1999-W<G$5> Tenth-Ounce Gold Eagle.</B></I> This is the key issue in the five dollar gold eagle collection, with an estimated mintage of 2500 coins. To further support the contention that this is an emergency issue, please consider the following table of mintages for the $5 gold eagle:<BR><BR> 1998 1,344,500<BR> 1999 2,750,000 (with "W": estimated mintage of 2500)<BR> 2000 569,000<BR><BR> This lot contains one hundred fifty-eight (158) coins, as follows:<BR><BR> Non-encapsulated 25<BR> ICG MS69 1<BR> PCI MS69 1<BR> PCGS MS67 1<BR> PCGS MS68 23<BR> PCGS MS69 14<BR> NGC MS68 9<BR> NGC MS69 84<BR><BR> Recent sales of this coin have been recorded for more than $600 each. This lot is sold as is. Inspection is suggested.