The U.S. Mint’s Uncirculated 2012-P America the Beautiful silver 5-ounce coin featuring Maine’s Acadia National Park went on sale beginning at noon Eastern Time Aug. 13.

The coin’s initial price is $204.95, but pricing is subject to change based upon fluctuations in the spot price of silver. The coin has a maximum mintage of 25,000 strikes.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

The reverse of the Acadia National Park coin depicts a view of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse atop Acadia’s rough coastline.

It was designed by Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Barbara Fox and sculptured by Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna.

The design was selected from five sketches presented to the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee during the October 2010 meetings of the two federal review panels.

The CFA recommended the design selected for the coin, while the CCAC opted to recommend a different rendition of the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. The CCAC’s preferred design featured a closer view of the lighthouse; that design featured a reduced emphasis on the rocky coastline on which the lighthouse is situated.

The Uncirculated America the Beautiful 5-ounce .999 fine silver coins are collector versions of those issued through the America the Beautiful silver bullion coin program. Unlike the bullion version, the Uncirculated strikes feature the P Mint mark of the Philadelphia Mint. The bullion coins have no Mint mark, though they, too, are struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Each Uncirculated coin is enclosed in a protective capsule and presentation case, and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

The designs featured on the 5-ounce silver Uncirculated and bullion coins duplicate those appearing on each corresponding circulating quarter dollar issued through the America the Beautiful Quarters program. The 5-ounce coins are denominated as quarter dollars as well.

The Acadia National Park coin is the third issued by the Mint in 2012, following 5-ounce coins issued for El Yunque National Park in Puerto Rico and New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

The two other Uncirculated 2012-P America the Beautiful 5-ounce coins yet to be issued are coins honoring Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve.

Orders for the Acadia National Park 5-ounce coin are accepted at the Mint’s Web site, www.usmint.gov/catalog, and by telephone at 800-872-6468. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 888-321-6468.

A $4.95 shipping and handling fee is added to all domestic orders. ¦