Proof American Silver Eagles

American Silver Eagle Proofs are among the most beautiful coins the U.S. Mint produces. They are the pinnacle of the art of coin minting and require considerable preparation when being struck. Proof coins are extremely popular with collectors because of their exceptional coin detail and aesthetic appeal. The distinctive mirror-like backgrounds with frosted foregrounds and dramatic high-relief details allow the coins to come to life in your hands. Silver Eagle Proof coins often become the catalysts for many Americans to enter the hobby of coin collecting. With all the current year of issue and backdated American Silver Eagle Proofs we offer, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for you and your collection!

The Liberty Coin Act of 1985

Congress authorized the American Eagle silver bullion coin in the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. This legislation was conceived and enacted to provide people with a safe, simple means of investing in precious metals. Both bullion and proof American Silver Eagle coins from the United States Mint were first minted in 1986 and feature date marks on the obverse side. Only Proof Silver Eagles are struck with a mint mark corresponding to the mint of origin.

American Silver Eagle Proof Design

The American Silver Eagle Proof coin is a popular collector's item and a stunning representation of American iconography. The proof series features the same imagery as its bullion and burnished counterparts. On its obverse, the coin features Adolph A. Weinman's "Walking Liberty" design, which was originally used on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. This timeless depiction showcases Lady Liberty in stride, with her right hand outstretched towards the horizon while her left arm cradles a bundle of oak branches. She is draped in the American flag, with the sun rising behind her, symbolizing hope, a brighter future, and the dawn of a new day.

For over three decades since its inception in 1986, the reverse side of the American Silver Eagle Proof coin showcased John Mercanti's heraldic eagle design, now refered to as the type 1 reverse design. This original Proof Silver Eagle reverse features a sharp-eyed eagle beneath a shield, its talons grasping an olive branch and arrows. Above the eagle, thirteen stars represent the original thirteen colonies. However, in 2021, the U.S. Mint introduced a refreshed reverse design, dubbed the type 2 design, created by Emily Damstra. This new portrayal, which is the standard moving forward, displays a magnificent bald eagle preparing to land with an oak branch in its talon.

Collecting Proof Silver Eagles

Some collectors try to assemble a complete set of Proof American Silver Eagle coins by acquiring one from every year of issue from 1986 to the present. It is also possible to build a collection by collecting every date and mint mark combination possible. In earlier years, Proof Silver Eagles would be struck at one branch of the U.S. Mint each year. However, since 2018, collectors have annually been treated to Proof Silver Eagles from both the San Francisco and West Point Mints. 

American Eagle Silver Proof coins are often in demand and can fetch high premiums. Graded Silver Eagle Proofs from Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), in perfect 70 or near-perfect 69 grades, generally fetch higher premiums than ungraded proof coins. The best collections of tomorrow are built on today's finest-proof coins, and the highest-valued Silver Eagle collections tend to consist of third-party certified coins. American Eagles are one of the world's most widely traded silver coins due in part to their backing for weight and purity by the United States government.

How Can You Tell if a Silver Eagle Is a Proof Coin?

Silver Eagle Proof coins have highly polished, mirror-like surfaces with sharp contrast and bold details. Some proof coins are deemed to have a  cameo finish, which has frosted design details with contrasting mirrored fields in the background. Cameo coins have a spectacular reflective effect, so the softly frosted design details almost float above the coin’s surface. 

A proof specimen coin is specially minted, which causes an obvious change in the visual presence. Intricately engraved dies are specially polished and treated to ensure a perfect proof finish. Polished burnished coin blanks, known as a planchet, are hand-fed into hydraulic coin presses and struck at a slower speed with extra pressure several times to bring out the coin’s full details. Multiple strikes ensure that the precious metal is forced into all the crevices of the die, producing very fine image detail, which is often absent on standard business strike coins.  

All proof coins are individually inspected with protective gloves for quality and strike before they are released. Any imperfections caused by production issues are discarded, and the silver is recycled. Proof Silver Eagle coins never touch another coin and are carefully handled to preserve their exceptional finish. Today’s modern, high-tech minting equipment and manufacturing processes produce perfect proof coins every time, with deeply mirrored surfaces contrasted with frosted cameo designs.

Buy American Silver Eagle Proofs at GovMint.com

When looking to buy Proof Silver Eagle coins or sets online, it’s crucial you buy from a trusted, reputable dealer. GovMint.com brings over 30 years of experience as one of the largest retailers of rare and collectible coins in the U.S. Our dedication to customer service is backed by our A+ BBB rating, while our relationships with the NGC and PCGS speak to our well-established reputation. Browse through our collection of Silver Eagle Proof coins and sets today to expand your collection.