The American Silver Eagle

The American Silver Eagle is the official silver coin of the United States, first minted in 1986 following the passage of the Liberty Coin Act the year before. Renowned for its beauty and government backing, it plays a vital role in both the U.S. market and the global precious metals arena, making it a popular choice among collectors.

Each American Silver Eagle coin contains 1 troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver and carries a $1 denomination guaranteed by the U.S. government. To enhance its durability, the coin is alloyed with copper, resulting in a total weight of 31.103 grams of .999 fine silver. The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman’s iconic Walking Liberty design, while the reverse originally depicted a heraldic eagle with a shield and thirteen stars. In 2021, the U.S. Mint introduced a new reverse design showcasing a bald eagle landing on a branch, created by Emily Damstra.

American Silver Eagle Sizes

The American Silver Eagle is exclusively minted as a 1-troy-ounce bullion coin, unlike the American Gold Eagle, which is available in fractional sizes. The lower cost of 1 ounce of silver compared to 1/10 ounce of gold makes it impractical to produce fractional silver coins. This uniformity in size and weight enhances the Silver Eagle’s reliability and reflects America’s dedication to quality and excellence in minting.

Each American Silver Eagle is carefully crafted by the United States Mint to adhere to stringent quality standards. This consistency ensures that every ASE coin is recognized and valued uniformly in global markets, streamlining trading and valuation processes for both investors and collectors.

American Silver Eagle For Sale at Bullion Shark

The United States Mint does not sell American Silver Eagle coins directly to the public. Instead, it provides an exclusive list of authorized dealers, including reputable companies like Bullion Shark, that are permitted to purchase precious metals from the Mint and offer them directly to customers.

At Bullion Shark, we ensure that our customers have access to genuine American Silver Eagles through a variety of purchase options. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, we offer competitive pricing and a curated selection of coins. You can choose to buy single coins or bulk quantities, depending on your needs. Additionally, we prioritize a seamless shopping experience, featuring secure transactions, discreet shipping, and a dedicated customer service team ready to assist you with any inquiries. Trust Bullion Shark for your American Silver Eagle purchases and experience the quality and service you deserve.

Buy Silver Eagle Online

The silver eagle is a must-have in any coin collection. Silver Eagle Coins were produced from 1986 and are still being minted today. It’s a large coin that is highly sought after and collected worldwide. The most popular and valuable coins are those that were minted in 1986 and 1999, buy silver eagle online today! 

Silver Eagle coins are larger coins, with a diameter of 40.6 mm. Proofs have a thickness of 3.1mm, which is slightly thicker than the 2.98 mm uncirculated coins. All silver eagle coins weigh 1 oz and are made from 99% silver and 1% copper. 

Legal Tender Status

The American Silver Eagle is considered legal tender in the United States, with a face value of $1. However, its actual market value far exceeds this denomination due to its silver content and collectible appeal. Each coin contains 1 troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, making its intrinsic value tied directly to the current price of silver, which is typically much higher than its legal face value.

While it is technically legal to use the Silver Eagle for transactions, it is rarely done because its metal value is far greater than its $1 denomination. Instead, these coins are primarily valued by collectors and investors for their silver content and numismatic appeal, rather than as currency in day-to-day commerce.

Proof and Burnished American Silver Eagles

Proof American Silver Eagles are premium versions of the standard bullion coin, renowned for their superior craftsmanship and stunning finish. These coins are struck multiple times using specially prepared dies, resulting in frosted designs that contrast beautifully against mirror-like backgrounds. Proof coins are primarily targeted at collectors and are sold at a premium due to their intricate detail, lower mintage, and numismatic appeal. They often come in special packaging and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, further enhancing their collectible value.

Burnished American Silver Eagles offer another distinct version of the Silver Eagle. First introduced in 2006, these coins undergo a unique minting process where the silver blanks are polished (or "burnished") before striking, giving them a matte-like finish. Burnished coins are also produced in lower numbers, adding to their rarity and appeal for collectors. Unlike the standard bullion versions, Burnished Eagles feature the “W” mint mark, indicating that they are minted at the West Point Mint. Burnished coins offer a more subtle, elegant finish compared to the mirror-like proof versions, making them an attractive addition to any collection.

Both proof and burnished coins carry higher premiums than standard bullion versions due to their limited mintage, enhanced finishes, and collectible status. Collectors often seek to acquire these coins to complete a full series or add a unique piece to their collections.

American Silver Eagle Release Schedule

The U.S. Mint follows an annual release schedule for the American Silver Eagle, typically unveiling the latest edition in January. Pre-sales often start in October, though this timing can vary. This consistent release pattern allows investors and collectors to plan their purchases in advance.

Each year, the U.S. Mint issues both mint and proof versions of the Silver Eagle, with special editions occasionally introduced to commemorate significant milestones or anniversaries. Limited mintage runs or unique finishes further enhance the collectible appeal of these coins.

As new editions are released, older years often see a rise in value due to their limited mintage and increasing scarcity. Collectors aiming to complete a full set of American Silver Eagles face a finite supply of earlier years, driving up demand and premiums. For example, the 2024 American Silver Eagles are now available (at the time of writing) at around 3% less than the 2022 and 2023 editions, while the 2021 Silver Eagle commands an even higher price, illustrating the impact of new releases on older coins' premiums.

Shop 2025 Silver Eagles Here

American Silver Eagle Premiums

When purchasing rare or certified coins, the premium you pay is the amount over the precious metal’s spot price, and understanding these premiums is crucial for collectors and investors alike. For American Silver Eagle coins, and particularly rare or certified versions, premiums can fluctuate due to various factors such as minting costs, certification fees, market demand, and scarcity.

Certified American Silver Eagles, especially proof or burnished editions, command even higher premiums than standard bullion releases. These coins offer not only the intrinsic value of silver but also significant numismatic appeal due to their limited mintage and certification by reputable grading agencies. In fact, certified versions often hold their value better over time and can appreciate significantly, especially as older or special editions become harder to find.

While American Silver Eagles may have higher premiums compared to other bullion coins like the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf or the Royal Mint’s Silver Britannia, they offer unique advantages. Certified ASEs, for instance, can be included in precious metals IRAs, as they meet IRS requirements. Additionally, there may be potential tax benefits for U.S. buyers when purchasing American coins, which is less common with foreign bullion.

American Silver Eagle History

In 1985 President Ronald Reagan started a program to improve America's coins. The silver eagle was created using the walking Liberty obverse that was previously used on all the Half Dollar coins produced between 1916 to 1947. This coin features a full-length Lady Liberty who’s walking with an American flag draped over her shoulder. There is also a rising sun, and Liberty is carrying a branch. The obverse was designed by Adolf A. Weinman, a famous mint engraver and sculpture.

The word ‘LIBERTY’ is engraved on the top face of the coin, with the motto ‘In God We Trust’ behind liberty’s legs. The year the coin was produced is at the base of the coin. 

The coin's reverse features a heraldic eagle and was designed by John Mercanti. The design symbolizes America's freedom as well as peace and pride. It has an eagle and shield, as well as thirteen stars that represent America's original colonies. The Latin phrase ‘E Pluribus Unum’ is incorporated into the shield and means ‘Out of Many, One.’

There are plans to change the Silver Eagle design in 2021. It’s thought that the 2020 coin will be popular and highly collected as it will be the last coin minted with the heraldic eagle design. 

Minting History and Distribution

The Regan government commissioned the Silver Eagle coin as a way to reduce the silver stockpile. Silver was sold off to minimize the impact silver-stock prices had on American silver producers. The coin has become very popular over the years, and the mints have even struggled to meet demand for the coins in some years. In 2013 the mints had to rationed supplies of the currency for eighteen months.

Silver Eagle Mintage

Three mints have struck the silver eagle coin. It was first minted at the Philadelphia Mint and, in later years, was produced at the San Francisco and West Point Mints. These coins are struck in three forms. They are either bullion coins, proofs, or uncirculated. Each coin has a mintmark on the reverse with the letter 'P,' 'S,' or 'W' to show where they were made. Bullion coins have no such mark.

Certified and Graded Coins

Certified American Silver Eagles come with advanced security features to ensure authenticity and protect against counterfeiting. These coins undergo third-party grading by reputable companies like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), which authenticate, grade, and encapsulate the coins in tamper-proof holders.

Security Features

Key security features of certified Silver Eagles include:

1. Tamper-Proof Holders: Certified Silver Eagles are sealed in secure, clear plastic holders that protect the coin from damage while ensuring that any attempt at tampering is visible. These holders include a unique certification number for traceability.

2. Anti-Counterfeit Labels: Both PCGS and NGC use high-tech labels with anti-counterfeit measures, such as holograms, barcodes, and QR codes, making it easier to verify the coin’s authenticity. Scanning the barcode or QR code provides access to detailed grading information in the official registry.

3. Photographic Authentication: Many certified coins are paired with high-resolution images taken at the time of certification. This ensures that collectors can compare the image with their coin to verify authenticity and grading integrity.

4. Edge Reed Variation: Since 2021, the U.S. Mint has introduced a variable reeded edge on Silver Eagles, which adds a layer of complexity to the design and serves as an additional security measure against counterfeiting.

5. Serial Numbers and Databases: Certified Silver Eagles are issued with a unique serial number, recorded in the grading company’s database. Buyers can easily verify the coin’s grade and authenticity by checking the serial number online through the grading company’s platform.

These security features ensure that certified Silver Eagles not only retain their value but also provide peace of mind to collectors.

American Silver Eagle Value

The value of an American Silver Eagle coin varies based on several factors including its year of minting, condition, and current market demand for silver bullion. Typically, these coins are priced based on the prevailing market price of silver, often with a premium above the spot price due to their collectibility and numismatic value. As of July 2024, a typical American Silver Eagle in brilliant uncirculated condition may be valued around $40 and higher, while rare silver eagles can fetch much higher numbers. Collectors seek out American Silver Eagles not only for their intrinsic silver content but also for their iconic design and status as an official silver coin of the United States.

The Silver Eagle value depends on the year of issue, with the 1999 coin being the most valuable and highly sought after. The Philadelphia mint produced 7.5 million silver eagles in 1999 as uncirculated coins. This was the largest amount since the launch of the coin in 1986. Although a high number of coins were minted, the 1999 coin is highly collectible and valuable because very few survived in higher grades. 

Many coin enthusiasts consider the silver eagle to be America's most beautiful coin. It’s is also an iconic coin that is highly recognizable by much of the population. The coins value depends on their condition and whether they are bullion, proofs, or uncirculated coins. Proofs are generally worth more then uncirculated coins. 

Coins that are graded as 70 are the most valuable. The most popular dates are 1986, 1994, 1995-W, 1999, 1996, 2019-S. The Silver Eagle coins' value can range from between $30 for an uncirculated bullion coin to a staggering $20,000 or more for a 1995-W Anniversary coin in perfect grade 70.

American Silver Eagle For Sale

Bullion shark sells a variety of different versions of the silver eagle coins. We offer coins minted in all years from 1986 to 2020. You can choose from proof, bullion, mint state, uncirculated, burnished, enhanced finished, and reverse proofs. We also set various sets if you wish to purchase the coins in bulk from multiple years. We can provide these American Silver Eagles certified and uncertified.  

Purchase Options and Availability

Silver eagle coins can be bought either individually or in larger amounts. There are also several 'Special edition' coins that were produced to celebrate the mints anniversaries. These coins are highly prized by collectors worldwide.

Collector’s reading list:

Why the American Silver Eagle Coin Should Be in Your Collection

U.S. Mint Strikes 1 Million Silver Eagles at San Francisco Mint

The Rarest $5 Gold Eagle in History: Why this 2024 Gold Coin is a Must-Have

Collecting Proof American Silver Eagle Coins

Top 5 Rarest Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles: Rarest Gold Coins of the 20th Century

Silver Dollars: Guide to Collecting American Silver Eagles.

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