American Silver Eagle

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  1. Silver Eagles For Sale
  2. American Silver Eagle Proof
  3. American Silver Eagle Coins
  4. American Silver Eagle Value
  5. American Silver Eagle Mintages By Year


The U.S. Mint launched the American Eagle Coin Program in 1986 with gold and silver bullion coins for investors. The program has since expanded to include platinum and palladium coins. The Mint also makes proof and uncirculated versions of the American Eagle coins for collecting.

The obverse of the American Eagle Gold Coins features a version of Liberty first used on the 1907 $20, or “double eagle” coin. The design, by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, shows Liberty facing forward, holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The reverse depicted an eagle grasping an olive branch flying above a nest of eagles. Starting in 2021, the gold coins feature a newly designed portrait of an eagle on the reverse and a refreshed obverse.

Coins

The American Silver Eagle is the world's most popular 1 ounce silver bullion coin. Technically, it is the modern U.S. More than a half billion Silver Eagles have been sold since its introduction in 1986. American Silver Eagles. The American Silver Eagle is one of the most widely recognized and respected coins in the world today. Silver Eagles come in various forms. These forms are bullion and proof coins, as well as uncirculated and certified versions. Silver eagles have an interesting and rich history.

The obverse of the American Eagle Silver Coins uses the “Walking Liberty” design by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman from the 1916 half dollar. Liberty walks in profile, draped in the folds of the American flag. Her right arm is extended and she carries laurel and oak branches in her left. The reverse depicted a heraldic eagle with a shield, grasping an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left. Starting in 2021, the coins feature a new reverse showing an eagle carrying an oak branch coming to land and a refreshed obverse.

The Mint first released American Eagle Platinum Coins in 1997. The bullion coin features the Statue of Liberty on the obverse and a soaring eagle on the reverse. The proof coin design changes each year.

The American Eagle Palladium Coins were first released in 2017 as bullion and 2018 as proof. Like the silver coins, the palladium coins re-create historic designs by Adolph Weinman. The obverse features Liberty wearing a cap with wings used on the 1916 Mercury dime. The reverse shows an eagle grasping a branch first used on the 1907 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

American

American Eagle Bullion Coins

American Eagle Bullion Coins provide investors with a convenient and cost effective way to add a small amount of physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium to their investment portfolios. The gold bullion coins are available in four sizes: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce. The silver, platinum, and palladium bullion coins are available in the one ounce size.

The U.S. Mint does not sell American Eagle Bullion Coins directly to the public. Learn more about how to buy bullion coins.

Watch the video below to learn about palladium coins.

This page contains the following video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnRboZn7Zvg

American Eagle Proof and Uncirculated Coins

The Mint produces American Eagle Coins for collectors with proof and uncirculated finishes. The gold and silver coins are released in both proof and uncirculated finishes each year. The platinum coins are currently made only as proof, while the palladium coins switch finishes each year.

The coins sell at a fixed price and can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint.

American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins

The U.S. Mint produced its first legal tender platinum proof coin in 1997. Its $100 face value is the highest denomination for a U.S. legal tender coin. Produced for collectors, it bears the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint, where it is produced. This precious metal coin has a limited mintage and may be purchased directly from the Mint.

From 1997 to 2017, the American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin shared a common obverse that depicted the Statue of Liberty. The coin’s reverse featured a variety of themed series designs, including:

  • Portrait of Liberty (1997)
  • Vistas of Liberty (1998 to 2002)
  • Foundations of Democracy (2006 to 2008)
  • Preamble to the Constitution (2009 to 2014)
  • Torches of Liberty (2015 and 2016)

In 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the platinum proof program, the coin bore its original 1997 design. From 2018 to 2020, the Mint issued the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series. The obverse designs featured a different scene with Liberty each year. The common reverse showed an eagle in flight carrying an olive branch.

  • 2018 Platinum Proof – Life
  • 2019 Platinum Proof – Liberty
  • 2020 Platinum Proof – Happiness

First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series

The 2021-2025 “First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series” features newly designed one ounce 99.95 percent platinum proof coins. The obverse designs use the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for our country’s growth as a Nation that values freedom. Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seed – our Bill of Rights. Each of the freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment contributes to the growth and development of the Nation.

This series continues the reverse design introduced for the 2018-2020 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series. It features an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons.

In 1986, the popular and world-renowned American Silver Eagle was first minted. The American Silver Eagles are the official bullion silver coin of the United States. Backed by the US government, the American Silver Eagle is guaranteed .999 pure silver. IRA approved, the American Silver Eagles can be purchased individually or by government-sealed monster boxes of 500 coins.

Silver Eagles For Sale

Design of the American Silver Eagle

Silver

The Walking Liberty is one of the most known figures of US currency and is featured on the obverse of every American Silver Eagle. Lady Liberty was first designed for the half dollar in 1916-1947 but since it received such acclaim, the US Mint decided to resurrect the design for their first silver bullion coin collection. Adolph A. Weinman, an American sculptor who was born in Germany, was chosen to design the obverse for the Walking Liberty half-dollar. What he didn't know was how popular his design would remain 40 years later. Weinman's take on Lady Liberty resembles a Grecian god, who is wrapped in a light-weight robe and is delicately fluttering in the wind to enhance her femininity.

The reverse contains the US seal, which is of a large eagle with several different representations. Both of the eagle's talons are holding onto something; the left contains olive branches to represent peach and the other talon is holding arrows to represent warrior. The eagle is covered by a huge shield that indicates that the US will protect its power and 'E Pluribus Unum' is written across the eagle's outstretched wings. The coin's weight and purity is also stamped on the reverse for authentication purposes.

Types of American Silver Eagles

The US Mint has produced 3 types of American Silver Eagles: Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof, and Burnished. The Brilliant Uncirculated and Burnished American Silver Eagles contain the same finish: a frosted, matte surface but the Burnished versions contain the infamous 'W' mint-mark, since they are minted at the West Point Mint. The Proof Silver Eagles stand out, due to their glossy, mirror-like finish. Proof Silver Eagles are also packaged in government-issued presentation boxes with their Certificates of Authenticity.

Certified Silver Eagles

As most coin collectors and numismatists know, a coin can be a considered brilliant uncirculated or proof, but that's just the beginning of identifying a coin's value. Dr. William Sheldon was an American psychologist by trade and a numismatist as a hobby. In 1948, Sheldon developed the Sheldon Numeric Scale, which became the foundation of grading and certifying coins. The Sheldon Numeric Scale dictates that a coin's condition can fall between 1 and 70. Before this groundbreaking system, coins were graded mostly by physical appearance and could receive one of three grades.

There are many coin grading agencies out there but only two that are revered worldwide. The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) are two companies that issue coins their grades. These companies not only certify coins, but they also encase the graded coin into an official holder, preserving the coin and marking the holder with its earned grade. This alone has changed the coin collecting game, while also offering a peace of mind for collectors and investors.

When purchasing a Certified American Silver Eagle, there is information provided on the coin holder that is important to know. The first thing to notice is the coin's strike type:

  • MS: Short for 'Mint-State;' refers to coins that have never been in circulation and are the same condition as when they were originally produced. Mint State coins will receive a grade ranging from 60-70 on the Sheldon Numeric Scale.
  • PF/PR: Abbreviation for 'Proof;' refers to the method of coin manufacture, made for eye appeal among collectors.
  • SP: A 'specimen' coin is a combination of strike type (somewhere in the middle of Mint State and Proof).
American silver eagle mintage

A Certified American Silver Eagle (or any certified bullion coin) will most likely come in one of two grades:

  • MS/PF70: Bullion coins that have kept their original mint luster and contain zero post production flaws.
  • MS/PF69: Bullion coins that contain 2 or less minute imperfections but still carry their original mint luster.

Other certification terms often used for bullion coins:

  • First Strike: PCGS term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
  • Early Release: NGC term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
  • UCAM/DCAM: Shortened for Ultra-Cameo and Deep-Cameo, these terms refer to the coin's visual brilliance that is apparent on the surface by an unyielding, frosted finish and a deeply mirrored background luster.

Design of the American Silver Eagle

The Walking Liberty is one of the most known figures of US currency and is featured on the obverse of every American Silver Eagle. Lady Liberty was first designed for the half dollar in 1916-1947 but since it received such acclaim, the US Mint decided to resurrect the design for their first silver bullion coin collection. Adolph A. Weinman, an American sculptor who was born in Germany, was chosen to design the obverse for the Walking Liberty half-dollar. What he didn't know was how popular his design would remain 40 years later. Weinman's take on Lady Liberty resembles a Grecian god, who is wrapped in a light-weight robe and is delicately fluttering in the wind to enhance her femininity.

The reverse contains the US seal, which is of a large eagle with several different representations. Both of the eagle's talons are holding onto something; the left contains olive branches to represent peach and the other talon is holding arrows to represent warrior. The eagle is covered by a huge shield that indicates that the US will protect its power and 'E Pluribus Unum' is written across the eagle's outstretched wings. The coin's weight and purity is also stamped on the reverse for authentication purposes.

Types of American Silver Eagles

The US Mint has produced 3 types of American Silver Eagles: Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof, and Burnished. The Brilliant Uncirculated and Burnished American Silver Eagles contain the same finish: a frosted, matte surface but the Burnished versions contain the infamous 'W' mint-mark, since they are minted at the West Point Mint. The Proof Silver Eagles stand out, due to their glossy, mirror-like finish. Proof Silver Eagles are also packaged in government-issued presentation boxes with their Certificates of Authenticity.

Certified Silver Eagles

As most coin collectors and numismatists know, a coin can be a considered brilliant uncirculated or proof, but that's just the beginning of identifying a coin's value. Dr. William Sheldon was an American psychologist by trade and a numismatist as a hobby. In 1948, Sheldon developed the Sheldon Numeric Scale, which became the foundation of grading and certifying coins. The Sheldon Numeric Scale dictates that a coin's condition can fall between 1 and 70. Before this groundbreaking system, coins were graded mostly by physical appearance and could receive one of three grades.

There are many coin grading agencies out there but only two that are revered worldwide. The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) are two companies that issue coins their grades. These companies not only certify coins, but they also encase the graded coin into an official holder, preserving the coin and marking the holder with its earned grade. This alone has changed the coin collecting game, while also offering a peace of mind for collectors and investors.

American Silver Eagle Proof

When purchasing a Certified American Silver Eagle, there is information provided on the coin holder that is important to know. The first thing to notice is the coin's strike type:

  • MS: Short for 'Mint-State;' refers to coins that have never been in circulation and are the same condition as when they were originally produced. Mint State coins will receive a grade ranging from 60-70 on the Sheldon Numeric Scale.
  • PF/PR: Abbreviation for 'Proof;' refers to the method of coin manufacture, made for eye appeal among collectors.
  • SP: A 'specimen' coin is a combination of strike type (somewhere in the middle of Mint State and Proof).

A Certified American Silver Eagle (or any certified bullion coin) will most likely come in one of two grades:

  • MS/PF70: Bullion coins that have kept their original mint luster and contain zero post production flaws.
  • MS/PF69: Bullion coins that contain 2 or less minute imperfections but still carry their original mint luster.

American Silver Eagle Coins

Eagle

American Silver Eagle Value

Other certification terms often used for bullion coins:

  • First Strike: PCGS term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
  • Early Release: NGC term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
  • UCAM/DCAM: Shortened for Ultra-Cameo and Deep-Cameo, these terms refer to the coin's visual brilliance that is apparent on the surface by an unyielding, frosted finish and a deeply mirrored background luster.

American Silver Eagle Mintages By Year

  • Silver Eagles1986-Date
  • Silver Eagle RollsRolls & Monster Boxes
  • Proof Silver EaglesOriginal Mint Boxes
  • Certified Uncirculated Silver EaglesMS69 & MS70
  • Certified Proof Silver EaglesPF69 & PF70
  • Raw and Certified Burnished Silver EaglesFeaturing - W - Mint Mark
  • American Silver Eagle Anniversary Sets10th, 20th & 25th