The U.S. Mint's authorized purchasers will be able to place orders beginning Feb. 17 for the 5-ounce silver bullion version of the 2015 Homestead National Monument of America quarter dollars.

At noon Eastern Time March 5, the Uncirculated version of the 5-ounce silver coin bearing the P Mint mark of the Philadelphia Mint goes on sale directly to the public from the U.S. Mint for $149.95.

Representing the state of Nebraska and the Homestead National Monument of America, the reverse of both coin versions depicts the three fundamentals of survival common to all homesteaders:  food, shelter, and water. The design was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Ronald D. Sanders and sculptured by U.S. Mint Medallic Sculptor Jim Licaretz.

U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White said Jan. 27 that the maximum combined mintage for each of the year's five 5-ounce silver bullion and Uncirculated quarter dollars is 65,000 coins.

Both the bullion and Uncirculated versions of the 5-ounce, .999 fine silver coins are struck on a special, dedicated press at the Philadelphia Mint, but only the Uncirculated version bears the facility's P Mint mark. The Uncirculated version is sold to the public directly.

The silver bullion version is sold to a network of authorized purchasers who buy the coins at prices based on the closing London PM silver price on a given day, plus a premium of $9.75 per coin.

The 5-ounce silver 3-inch coins bear the same designs that appear on the 24.26-millimeter quarter dollars struck for circulation in a copper-nickel clad composition, and in either the copper-nickel clad composition or .900 fine silver composition for special sets.

The other four America the Beautiful quarter dollars and 5-ounce silver coins to be issued in 2015 are:

??Kisatchie National Forest (Louisiana).

??Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina).

??Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Delaware).

??Saratoga National Historical Park (New York).