Advance Release Certified Burnished U.S. Mint Coins Explained!

Advance Release Certified Burnished U.S. Mint Coins Explained!
 
The coins
 
The term Burnished coin refers to the method of manufacture and not the condition of a coin. The U.S. Mint uses specially prepared coin blanks to make burnished coins the coin blanks are hand-fed into adapted coining presses one at a time. The burnishing process gives the coins a soft, matte-like finish that is popular with collectors. Burnished coins have a mintmark identifying their production facility. The West Point Mint is the primary facility for burnished coins.
 
The U.S. Mint made their first Burnished Gold & Silver Eagles in 2006 under the leadership of Edmund C. Moy, 38th Director of the U.S. Mint. Collectors seek Burnished Gold & Silver Eagles because they have lower mintages than bullion and proof strike coins.  
 
The Grade
 
The Sheldon numeric grading scale of 1 to 70 identifies the condition of a coin. To achieve the top grade of 70, a coin must have no post-production imperfections under magnification. Eye appeal is one of the most important factors in coin collecting and this is why collectors of modern coins (issued after 1982) covet coins certified in perfect 70 condition.
 
Beyond the grade of a coin, important designations make a coin even more desirable and lower the certified population of a coin. (The number of coins recorded by date, mintmark, special designation, and signature). Low original mintage and low certified populations are important considerations in coin collecting.
 
A popular new coin grading term has quickly caught on with collectors. The U.S. Mint started its Advance Release program in 2021 under the leadership of David Ryder the 39th Director of the U.S. Mint. Advance Release coins are coins from a small group, the absolute first coins released from the U.S. Mint before they go on sale to the public. Advance Release coins have very low designated mintages. Collectors seek Advance Release certified coins because they have the lowest certified population, are graded before, and are more desirable than First Day of Issue coins. (The Advance Release designation is only available on select U.S. Mint releases). 
 
Signatures
 
In addition to the perfect 70, grade and a special designation such as Advance Release, a genuine hand signature of a person closely associated with a particular coin series can add value and collector interest in a coin. A signature goes a further step towards lowering the certified population.