American Eagle

Silver American Eagle coins have a face value of one dollar and are struck in 1 Troy ounce of 99.9% fine silver. They are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the coins are currently eligible to be included in Individual Retirement Accounts (ask our precious metals specialists for details).

Due to its metal content, guaranteed quality, and overall popularity across the globe, the Silver American Eagle is a great way to invest in your portfolio year over year, or simply keep your personal coin collection up to date.

• Each coin contains 1 Troy oz. of 99.9% of pure fine silver
• Each coin’s value is backed by the United States government
• Bullion coins can be included in IRAs
• Each proof coin has a mirror-like finish for an unparalleled, stunning look
• The best proof coins are certified in perfect PF70 condition
• Silver is an affordable and accessible way to add diversification to any investment portfolio

First produced by the U.S. Mint on November 24, 1986, the Silver American Eagle coin endured a storied history before taking the market by storm and becoming the most popular silver coin in the world.

In an effort to balance the federal budget during the Reagan administration, the House Armed Services Committee authorized the selling of the U.S.’s silver holdings in 1982, after more than a decade of Congressional disagreement. Once the authorization was official, Congress resolved that 75% of the silver supply being held in the Defense National Stockpile would be sold over a three-year period, equating to about 105.1 million Troy ounces of silver. Although this authorization marked a significant shift in the handling considerations of the country’s silver holdings, the 1982 decision would eventually be overturned due to strong arguments that selling this amount of the precious metal would effectively ruin the silver market.

As such, the silver dilemma was again brought to the forefront of Congressional attention two years later with the passing of the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. As a result, the Silver American Eagle coin was authorized and officially introduced into the United States market on November 24, 1986.

From the coin’s inception through present day, it has been minted in three different locations: the San Francisco Mint from 1986 through 1992, the Philadelphia Mint from 1993 through 2000, and the West Point Mint from 2001 through 2008. Each version of the coin bears an “S”, “P” or “W” mintmark, indicating at which location it was minted.

Proof versions of the Silver American Eagle were not minted in the year 2009, and began again in 2010 at West Point. From 2016 through 2017, all three locations minted American Silver Eagles, with West Point claiming the majority of the production.

Drawing on both narrative and artistry, the Silver American Eagle is a testament to the aesthetic story of American coinage throughout our country’s history.

The coin’s obverse depicts the iconic “Walking Liberty” design created by German-born, American sculptor Adolph A. Weinman. The portrayal, which originally appeared on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar from 1916 to 1947, quickly became a favorite of the general public, making it a steadfast and familiar image in American monetary history. Flanking the historic design are the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust”.

On the reverse, one finds John Mercanti’s portrayal of the American bald eagle donning a patriotic shield across its breast and grasping an olive branch in its right talons and a bundle of arrows in its left. Thirteen stars shine majestically above the bird’s head, representing the original thirteen colonies of the United States. The words “United States of America” line the top edge of the coin, while the coin’s face value and weight line the bottom.

Since silver has a low cost per ounce, it allows new investors to get into the precious metals market.

United States Gold Bureau offers both the bullion and proof version of the Silver American Eagle. The bullion is a great option for buyers looking to purchase a silver coin worth its weight in USD, while the proof version is an excellent investment piece for those seeking long-term value, based on the coin’s rarity.