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American Silver Eagle Facts and FAQS

American Silver Eagle Facts and FAQS

American Silver Eagle Facts


Due to its one-dollar face value, the Silver Eagle is often considered the modern-day version of the silver dollar. With American Silver Eagles being one of the most collected series, it's no surprise that the annual limited supply has historically been met with high demand, for each yearly issue. Some back-dated Silver Eagle issues may be difficult to find and may carry numismatic premiums.

Silver has historically been one of the most affordable precious metals. Since 1986, the United States has minted one-dollar silver coins called American Eagle Silver Dollars or simply, Silver Eagles. Each Silver Eagle coin contains one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. Over 300 million Silver Eagles have been struck to date.

The One Ounce American Silver Eagle:

 

  • Is loved and sought after by both silver enthusiasts and coin collectors.
  • Contains 99.9% pure silver.
  • Is one troy ounce - Legal tender.
  • Also features the classic Walking Liberty design, considered one of the most beautiful coins ever struck.
  • Is the only silver bullion coin whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the U.S. government.

There's not just one kind of Silver Eagle coin. The wide array that has been issued throughout the last four decades made collecting endlessly fun and interesting. The American Eagle Coin program also releases annual gold, platinum, and palladium Eagles as well.

American Eagle Silver Dollars:

 

  • An affordable precious metal.
  • America's most popular silver dollar.
  • A lifetime of collecting enjoyment.

American Silver Eagle FAQs


How Much Silver is in a Silver Eagle?

Each Silver Eagle coin contains one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver.  Weighing 31.101 grams, Silver Eagles are composed of .999 fine silver and .001 copper for a total net weight of one ounce of pure silver. The price of silver has a direct impact on the value of the silver eagle coin, making these beautiful coins even more appealing to many collectors. In addition to their face value and numismatic appeal, silver eagles are also widely popular because of their silver content.


Where Are American Silver Eagles Coins Minted?

Throughout the series, American Silver Eagles have been minted at various branches of the United States Mint, including the Philadelphia, West Point, and San Francisco Mints. On collector strikes, like Burnished and Proof Silver Eagles, the mint of origin will be denoted by a mint mark. American Silver Eagle Proof coins were first struck at the San Francisco facility (1986-1992) and marked with an “S,” followed by Philadelphia (1993-2000) with a “P,” and since 2001, they have been consistently minted at West Point with a “W.” Starting in 2018, collectors have been treated to Proof Silver Eagles from both the West Point and San Francisco Mints each year.

While Bullion Silver Eagles do not carry a mint mark, grading companies like Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) can determine where such issues were struck thanks to identifying marks on sealed monster boxes, which is affirmed on the certification label with a “Struck At” pedigree.


Where is the Mint Mark on the American Eagle Silver Dollar?

The mint mark on select American Silver Eagles can be found on the coin's reverse (tails) side, just below the eagle's tail feathers. A mint mark only appears on Proof, Burnished, and other collector versions of Silver Eagles, like Reverse Proofs. Mint marks do not appear on bullion Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) versions. However, it is still sometimes possible to tell which branch of the United States Mint struck such issues thanks to identifying serial numbers on sealed monster boxes.  

The mint mark indicates where the coin was produced, with "W" representing the West Point Mint and "S" for the San Francisco Mint. Identifying the mint mark on American Silver Eagles is essential for collectors and numismatists to determine their origin and potential collector appeal.


What is the Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Silver Eagles?

American Silver Eagles are a popular choice among collectors, and they come in two distinct types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Silver Eagles, minted from 1986 to mid-2021, feature the classic Heraldic Eagle reverse design by John Mercanti, a prolific coin designer and former Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. In mid-2021, the United States Mint introduced the Type 2 Silver Eagle, marking a significant update with a new reverse design by Emily Damstra. The Type 2 reverse design features a more naturalistic depiction of an eagle coming in for a landing, grasping an oak branch.

In addition to the reverse design change, Type 2 Silver Eagles also incorporate an enhanced security feature to prevent counterfeiting in the form of a reeded edge variation


Do American Silver Eagles Tarnish?

Despite being of high quality at 99.9% purity, American Silver Eagles are not immune to tarnishing. The slight alloy composition, which is not 100% pure silver, renders them vulnerable to tarnishing over time, primarily upon exposure to air and specific environmental conditions. While pure silver is less prone to tarnishing due to its resistance to oxidation, the slight .01% presence of other metals in Silver Eagles can lead to tarnishing over time. Proper storage and handling practices are recommended to maintain the appearance of silver bullion coins, like Silver Eagles.


What are the Emergency Production Silver Eagles?

“Emergency Production” refers to a grading designation given to Silver Eagles that were struck in response to surges in demand or unforeseen circumstances. Such issues are typically struck at different United States Mint facilities than the standard production runs.

For example, in 2021, faced with pandemic-related production slow-downs and expected high demand from collectors during the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States Mint turned to its Philadelphia branch to help produce 2021 Type-1 Silver Eagle bullion coins, which typically would have been struck at the West Point Mint. While these coins do not carry a "P" mint mark, since they are bullion Silver Eagles, the third-party experts at Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) were able to certify that they were struck at the Philadelphia Mint via the labeling and markings on sealed monster boxes. NGC felt the particular circumstances of these coins' striking deserved an "Emergency Production" pedigree due to their ties to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Why Collect US Mint American Silver Eagle Coins?

People buy Silver Eagle coins for two reasons: collecting and stacking. Collectors love Silver Eagles, because they're simply beautiful, especially Silver Eagle proof coins and Uncirculated Silver Eagles. Many collectors seek to assemble a complete set of American Silver Eagles by acquiring a coin from every year of mintage, 1986 to the present. As for silver collectors, historically, the legacy of Silver goes back as far back as 4,000 years ago as a means of exchange used to buy and sell goods over the centuries. Today, silver has been one of the most affordable precious metals.

Why Is the 1913 Nickel So Rare?

The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickel is among the rarest coins in U.S. history because of its unauthorized production and limited quantity. An unknown person struck the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel without authorization from the U.S. Mint after the design had officially been discontinued. Only five of these coins are known to exist, and several have been sold for millions of dollars apiece at coin-collecting auctions.

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