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U.S. Silver Coins

Having been used as a form of currency for thousands of years, silver coins are one of the most popular  ways to begin a coin collection or enhance an existing one. With some of the most beautiful coins from the United States Mint, silver has helped shape our understanding of modern coin collecting. Often more accessible than their gold counterparts, U.S. silver coins are the foundations of many carefully curated collections or silver stacks. . From the vast online options available, you are able to stay ahead of the curve and collect the newest coins the U.S. Mint has to offer.

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Get all the information you need on collecting U.S. Silver Dollars with our complete guide!

What Silver Coins Does the US Mint Make?

The United States of America has been minting its own coinage since 1792 and continues to grow its numismatic legacy to this day.  Alongside its circulating coinage which is generally struck from a copper-nickel alloy, the United States Mint has struck, and continues to strike, a wide variety of silver coins. For many collectors, the American Silver Eagle Dollar and the United States Silver Proof Set are highly sought-after annual releases.  In addition to the United States Mint’s annual releases, their historic issues continue to thrill collectors and there are even several vintage silver coins that entire collections have been based around them.  Silver coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar or original Walking Liberty Half Dollar are both historic pieces that hold tremendous significance among collectors. Silver coins issued by the United States are coveted the world over for beauty, design, and historical value. Keep reading below to learn more about the many Silver coins, both classic and modern, offered by the United States Mint.

Types of US Silver Coins

There are a variety of U.S. silver coins available for purchase and collection. Among these, popular series of U.S. coins include American Silver Eagles (considered by many to be one of the most beautiful silver coins ever minted), America the Beautiful Coins, modern Silver Commemoratives that honor historic U.S. anniversaries and events, the classic Silver Morgan Dollars, and Silver Peace Dollars which were minted to honor the end of World War I. Although the volatility of coin collecting changes by the day, at GovMint.com, we strive to offer any and every coin issued by the U.S. Mint. From Silver Eagles to Proof sets, we are sure that our catalog will meet your collecting needs.  

Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle is the annual silver bullion coin released by the United States Mint and is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful modern silver coins in the world.  Backed by the United States government for silver content and purity, this Silver Dollar is always a favorite among collectors.

Obverse & Reverse Design

 

The Silver Eagle’s obverse depicts a gorgeous classic design, originally created by legendary designer Adolph Weinman for the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Its reverse was designed by the renowned John Mercanti, a former United States Mint Chief Engraver, and features a patriotic, heraldic Eagle bearing a shield.  One look at the design’s stunning detail and it is easy to see why the American Silver Eagle is famous amongst coin collectors and bullion enthusiasts, the world over.

In the middle of 2021 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the beloved series a brand-new reverse design, dubbed the Type-2 design, debuted. Created by member of the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion (AIP) Emily Damstra, the new reverse focuses on an eagle about to land.

American Silver Eagle Obverse and Reverse Type-1American Silver Eagle Obverse and Reverse Type-1

Silver Eagle Finishes

This iconic United States Silver Dollar is issued in a variety of finishes included Brilliant Uncirculated, Proof, and Burnished. Special issues are released from time to time such as the first-ever Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagle which was introduced in the historic, collaborative set issued jointly by the United States and Royal Canadian Mints in 2019.

Morgan Silver Dollar Coins

An American classic and arguably the most recognizable vintage United States silver coin, the Morgan Silver dollar is a remnant from the era of gunslingers and the wild, wild, west.  First struck in 1878, these large Silver Dollars were robbed from stagecoaches, used in saloons, gambled on in card games, and were witnesses to shootouts. The history of the Silver Morgan was almost brought to a halt when, due to the Pittman Act of 1918, hundreds of millions of these silver coins were melted down to aid the United States’ war effort.  Then, once more for the Great Depression, the Silver Morgans were reduced once more and then for a final time in the 1980’s. Today, Morgan Silver Dollars are coveted by collectors of both numismatics, history, fans of Americana, and anyone with a passion for gun-slinging and cattle rustling! The Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most colorful and treasured relics of America’s western frontier, and an inspirational coin that collectors are drawn to because of its historical significance.

Obverse & Reverse Design

 

 With .77344 ounces of pure silver, the Morgan Dollar Obverse Design bears a beautiful close-up profile of Lady Liberty facing left, wearing a Phrygian crown that symbolizes freedom, encircled with a ribbon inscribed with Liberty. Above the crown are cotton and wheat that decorate the ribbon, symbolizing the reconciliation of the North and South following the Civil War. E Pluribus Unum is inscribed above Liberty’s head, while 13 stars are found below. As a tribute to the designer, George T. Morgan, a single small “M” is found at the base of Liberty's neck.

The Morgan Dollar Reverse Design features an eagle with wings outspread with the motto, In God We Trust above. Encircling the coin written above is: United States of America with the denomination of one dollar and stars on either side. The eagle is clutching both an olive branch and 3 arrows in its talons, symbolizing peace, yet readiness for war and below the eagle and around its sides is a wreath of laurel to honor the nation’s achievements. The ribbon ties the wreath together is another “M” for Morgan, and below is where the Mint marks are located.

morgan silver dollar obvsere reverse designmorgan silver dollar obvsere reverse design

 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar design was brought to fruition by Adolph A. Weinman, the designer of the famous Mercury Dime, which also debuted in 1916. Both designs won a public competition for the selection of new coin designs. Mr. Weinman was a student of famed artist and coin designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was responsible for the iconic Double Eagle Twenty Dollar design

Obverse & Reverse Design

 

The obverse of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar features an image of Liberty wrapped in the American Flag striding over rocky terrain with her hand outstretched towards a new day. Carrying branches of oak and laurel to symbolize strength and prosperity, respectively, the inscriptions Liberty and the national motto In God We Trust surround Liberty.

 

The reverse of the coin features the American Bald Eagle on a rocky outcrop with a mountain pine springing from it, representing America's rugged roots. Inscriptions on this face include Half Dollar, United States of America, and E Pluribus Unum with the initials of Adolph Weinman, AAW, the Walking Liberty designer just under the eagle's right-wing.

Walking Liberty Overse and Reverse DesignWalking Liberty Overse and Reverse Design

US Silver Proof Set

When the United States Mint stopped issuing circulating silver coinage in the 60’s, silver was taken out of quarters in 1965, the demand for the precious metal skyrocketed.  People wanted more United States silver coins for sale, and the Mint delivered.  Starting in 1992, the United States Mint began striking their Silver Proof Set on an annual basis.

While standard Proof Sets have been available since 1936, .900 pure silver was not added to the Mint set mix until 1992 when the Silver Proof set debuted. In recent years, annual Silver Proof Set releases have featured .999 fine silver examples of the half dollars, quarters, and dimes included in a given set. Silver Proof Sets are valued by collectors for their stunning quality, as well as the fact that they contain one example of each piece of circulating coinage from that given year, but preserved from circulation in brilliant Proof condition.

2021 Silver Proof Set 2021 Silver Proof Set

In recent years, additional coins have been added to the lineup including an example of every America the Beautiful Quarter design released in the year of issue.  This annual set of five silver proof quarters highlights an aspect of America. Silver Proof sets are often a relatively accessible way to kick start a United States Mint based coin collection.

What Coins Have Silver In Them?

There are a variety of coins that have silver in them, and from countries all across the globe. Among U.S. silver coins, American Silver Eagles, America the Beautiful Coins, modern Silver Commemoratives, Silver Morgan Dollars, and Silver Peace Dollars are all coins that contain silver in them, while circulated coins such as the Roosevelt and Mercury Dimes, Washington Quarters, and the Walking Liberty Franklin and Kennedy Half-Dollars minted in 1964 and earlier contain silver as well. Some of these issues contain .999 fine silver, while others contain .900 fine silver.

How to Tell if a Coin Is Silver?

There are numerous methods to determine if a coin is made of silver of not, one of the most common ways to know if a coin contains silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe there is a good chance that it’s  silver. If there is a copper stripe, then the coin is clad, meaning that it has multiple layers of different metals. Other tricks include the “ping” test and seeing if the supposed silver coin is magnetic. While listening to the sound of a coin being dropped is hard to fake, if a coin is magnetic, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s not silver. Many modern coins created for collectors by sovereign mints will inscribe the metal content and purity right on the coin itself. Buying from trusted sources that guarantees the authenticity of the precious metal items it sells is another way to be confident in the silver you purchase.

U.S. Silver Coins for Sale at GovMint.com

When you buy U.S. Mint Silver Coins at GovMint.com you can rest assured that you are buying authentic United States coinage. We offer free shipping on orders of $149 or more and have a 30-day return policy for all non-bullion items. You can view our return policy here. Browse our website GovMint.com or call 1-800-642-9160 to see how Morgan Silver Dollars can enhance your coin collection today.