Numismatic

2022 1 oz Ag Treasures of the U.S. Maryland Blue Crab Shell Color

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This innovative 2022 release from the Treasures of the United States series honors the state of Maryland using a highly unusual design element. Struck from one ounce of 0.999 fine silver, the coin actually incorporates a genuine, natural item native to the region it celebrates: a real piece of blue crab shell. The reverse side of the coin is a visual tribute to Maryland's natural and historical identity. It showcases the Baltimore oriole, which is the state bird, alongside the black-eyed Susan, Maryland's official flower. A crab and the state flag appear on this side, which also features Fort McHenry and a nod to the Star Spangled Banner. Embedded directly into the coin is the physical blue crab shell fragment, making each of the 500 minted pieces completely unique. On the obverse, an eagle is depicted inside a central emblem. This side carries the inscriptions indicating the weight of one ounce, the 999 silver purity, the year 2022, and the ten-dollar face value. Officially authorized by the sovereign nation of Mesa Grande, this legal tender coin offers a tactile and deeply regional exploration of American state heritage.