American Silver Eagle Coins

The United States American Silver Eagle is the official American silver bullion coin and the world's most widely accepted silver coin. It was introduced in 1986 and has become the foundation for many investment portfolios as well as numismatic collections. It contains one complete troy ounce of.999 fine silver, weighed and insured by the U.S. government, which ensures maximum security and trust.

We at BOLD Precious Metals provide a complete offering of American Silver Eagle coins for sale, including Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) mintages as well as certified graded issues and the original Type 1 as well as the newer Type 2 designs. Whether you want to purchase an individual coin, a tube of mint coins, or a sealed Monster Box, you'll get competitive prices as well as quality assurance with an A+ BBB rated dealer.

The Enduring Appeal of the American Silver Eagle

The history of the American Silver Eagle started with the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. The act allowed the U.S. Mint to begin minting the country's official silver bullion as a means of phasing out the government's enormous silver holdings in the Defense National Stockpile. The coins were produced on October 29, 1986, and became an overnight international sensation.

The appeal of this coin is in its marriage of beautiful, historical artwork and its status as a tangible, government-backed asset. Its one-dollar face value means that it is legal tender, though its intrinsic value compared to its silver content is much greater. The government backing makes it one of the most liquid and respected silver investments on the planet.

Investing in Silver Eagles: A Guide for Your Portfolio

American Silver Eagles are an integral part of any well-balanced precious metals investment plan for a number of simple reasons:

• Intrinsic Value: Each Silver Eagle has one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, a physical commodity of inherent value not subject to the fluctuating currencies.
• Portfolio Diversification: Silver tends to move in opposition to stocks and bonds long historically maintained, so Silver Eagles are a great instrument with which to hedge market volatility and economic uncertainty.
• Inflation Hedge: Since silver is a physical commodity, it has always been a safe value store that insulates wealth against the effects of inflation.
• High Liquidity: American Silver Eagles, being guaranteed by the government and widely accepted across the globe, are extremely liquid coins that enable you to cash in or redeem them when you require money.
• IRA Eligibility: American Silver Eagle coins have the IRS's stringent.999 level of purity and qualify fully for a self-directed Precious Metals IRA account. This enables you to own physical, government-backed silver as part of your tax-deferred retirement holdings.

Design Deep Dive: Type 1 vs. Type 2 Silver Eagles

One of the significant events in the history of this coin is that a new reverse design was introduced in mid-2021, making two varieties of Type 1 and Type 2 for investors and collectors.

The Obverse: Weinman's "Walking Liberty"

The reverse of each Silver Eagle is the worldwide accepted "Walking Liberty" design of Adolph A. Weinman, first used on the U.S. half-dollar in 1916. It shows Lady Liberty walking towards the sunrise, wrapped in the American flag, with the right hand extended and laurel and oak leaves in the left. This is fairly widely regarded as the most gorgeous coin design in American numismatic history.

Type 1 Reverse: Mercanti's Heraldic Eagle (1986 - mid-2021)

The first reverse design, Type 1, was designed by John Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint. The eagle is a strong heraldic eagle with a shield in its chest. In its right talon is held an olive branch (peace) and in its left talon arrows (strength). There are thirteen stars above its head representing the thirteen original colonies.

Type 2 Reverse: Damstra's Landing Eagle (mid-2021 - Present)

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the coin, the U.S. Mint released the Type 2 reverse designed by artist Emily Damstra. The new reverse displays a more dynamic and natural image of a bald eagle, with its wings stretched out wide, as it descends with an oak branch clasped by its talons. It was a big redesign of the series.

Enhanced Security Features of the Type 2

One of the greatest differences between the two coins is the added security on the Type 2 coin. To fight counterfeiting, the U.S. Mint introduced a modification in the reeded edge—a minor missing reed incorporated as a discreet security element. This makes the Type 2 coin safer for investors.

Learning about Mintage, Rarity, and Key Dates

American Silver Eagle mintage every year is distinct, resulting in varying degrees of rarity. Most bullion coins are produced in the millions, but special collector's editions such as Proof and Burnished coins have very low production numbers. Some years are "key dates" because their very low mint numbers make them more desirable among collectors.

Key Date American Silver Eagles:

• 1996 (Bullion): With a mintage of only 3,603,386, it is the lowest-mintage year for the regular-issue bullion Silver Eagle and is most coveted by collectors.
• 1995-W (Proof): The undisputed crown jewel of scarce Silver Eagles, the 1995-W Proof coin was released as a special issue in a 10th-anniversary set and had an incredibly small mintage of only 30,125 coins.
• 2019-S (Improved Reverse Proof): With a mintage of less than 30,000, this coin is yet another of the newer releases that are very sought after.

How to Identify and Avoid Counterfeit Silver Eagles

Being the world's most sought-after silver coin, the American Silver Eagle is most wanted by counterfeiters. Precautions are in order on your part. You begin by knowing where and what to spot. Though purchasing from a proven dealer such as BOLD is the best bet, you can also keep an eye out for the following telltale signs:

• Correct Details: A real Silver Eagle is precisely 31.103 grams (1 troy ounce) in weight, 40.6 mm in diameter, and 2.98 mm thick. Any noticeable difference signifies a counterfeit.
• The Magnet Test: Silver is not magnetic. If your coin attracts a magnet, it is not a real Silver Eagle.
• Check the Date: Mistakes are made by counterfeiters, including placing dates prior to the approved 1986 release of the coin.
• Visual Details: Look under a magnifying glass at the details. Lettering and design features on a real coin will be bold and clear. Fakes will have less vibrant, less clear details or the wrong font.
• Reeded Edge: All Silver Eagles possess a reeded edge. Type 2 coin features the increased security of a missing reeded notch.

Content Fact-Checked by Our Numismatic Experts

This content has been reviewed for accuracy and completeness by the numismatic experts at BOLD Precious Metals. Our team has years of experience in the precious metals industry and is dedicated to providing our customers with the most reliable and helpful information to guide their investment decisions.

American Silver Eagle Coin FAQs

Are American Silver Eagle coins a good investment?

Yes, they are widely considered an excellent investment. They are backed by the U.S. government for their weight and.999 silver purity, are highly liquid, and serve as a strong hedge against inflation, making them a stable addition to any portfolio.

What is the difference between a bullion, proof, and burnished Silver Eagle?

• Bullion (or BU) coins are the standard investment-grade version with a satin finish, struck for mass distribution.
• Proof coins are made for collectors, featuring a mirror-like background and frosted design details, and are struck multiple times to enhance their beauty.
• Burnished coins are also for collectors and are struck on specially polished blanks, giving them a unique matte-like finish and a "W" mint mark.

How many Silver Eagles are in a tube or Monster Box?

A standard U.S. Mint tube contains 20 American Silver Eagle coins. A sealed green Monster Box holds 25 tubes, for a total of 500 coins.

Are Silver Eagles legal tender?

Yes, they have a legal tender face value of one dollar ($1). However, their actual value is tied to their intrinsic silver content, which is much higher.

Are American Silver Eagles IRA-eligible?

Yes, their.999 purity meets the strict requirements set by the IRS, making them fully eligible for inclusion in a self-directed Precious Metals IRA.

How can I tell if my Silver Eagle is real?

The best way is to buy from a trusted dealer. You can also verify its weight (31.103g), diameter (40.6mm), and thickness (2.98mm), and confirm that it is non-magnetic.