American Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle One Ounce silver coin is legal tender in the United States, and is the official silver bullion coin of the U.S. Mint. The Silver Eagle has a face value of one dollar, but is independently traded on its silver content and for other factors like mintage and condition. According to the United States Mint, bullion American Silver Eagles are the only silver bullion coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States government. Uncirculated Silver Eagles are produced at three mints: West Point, San Francisco, and Philadelphia Mints. In addition to the bullion version, the U.S. Mint also produces burnished uncirculated and proof Silver Eagles specially struck for collectors. Learn more about U.S. Mint Silver Eagles below.

American Silver Eagles

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.

Mint State / Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Silver Eagles

Mint State/Brilliant Uncirculated Silver Eagle Coins are the traditional bullion Silver Eagles released yearly. Featuring what is called a Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) finish, the appearance of these Silver Eagles tends to be more smooth and less shiny than their Proof counterparts. Bullion or Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Silver Eagles are notable for NOT carrying a mint mark.

Proof Silver Eagles

Proof Silver Eagles have a beautiful finish that sets them apart from other coins and are also released annually. Their surfaces are highly polished and mirror-like with sharp contrast. Proof Silver Eagles go through a special process to give them their unique finish, which includes cleaning, hand polishing, specially polished dies, being struck twice, and careful packaging. A Proof Silver Eagle offers collectors the opportunity to own one of the most beautiful versions of the popular Silver Eagle coin.

Reverse Proof Silver Eagles

Reverse Proof Silver Eagle coins are similar to Proof Silver Eagle coins, but they have an inverted proof finish. With Reverse Proof Silver Eagle coins, only the background is frosted, while the design details are shiny and mirrored. The proof and the reverse proof finish show off two sides of the same coin and bring more dimension to the Silver Eagle.

Burnished Silver Eagles

Burnished Silver Eagle coins, like their Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) bullion counterparts,  have a smooth matte finish instead of a shiny finish like Proof Silver Eagles. However, these coins undergo a special striking process that starts with polished coin blanks, which then go into a coin press one at a time. Burnished Silver Eagles are also struck with a mint mark that denotes their mint of origin, while bullion Silver Eagles do not carry a mint mark.  With a Burnished Silver Eagle coin, you have a carefully crafted finish that allows your to appreciate the Silver Eagle designs in a new light!

Enhanced Uncirculated Silver Eagles

The Enhanced Uncirculated Silver Eagle debuted in 2013 and is rarely seen in the American Silver Eagle series. This special finish is achieved by multiple strikes and is characterized by frosty fields and various polished and frosted finishes. The end result offers a genuinely unique glance at the iconic Silver Eagle obverse and reverse designs.

Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagles

The Enhanced Reverse Proof finish is seldom seen in the Silver Eagle series and first debuted in 2019 in the Two Coin Pride of Two Nations Set. This gorgeous and unique finish displays multiple surface treatments on both the obverse and the reverse. This finish is characterized by the same frosted backgrounds of a reverse proof coin. Yet, it is set apart by the multiple polished and frosted finishes applied to different parts of the design elements. This selective polishing and frosting dramatically enhances the visual appearance of the design. 

The Start of the American Silver Eagles

The American Eagle bullion coin was authorized by Congress in the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. This legislation was conceived and enacted to provide investors with a safe, simple means of investing in precious metals. The American Silver Eagle was first minted in 1986, with its date on the obverse. On October 29, 1986, a striking ceremony was held in San Francisco, where the very first coin was struck, when Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Baker III, proclaimed, “I don't need a pick and shovel to start the San Francisco Silver Rush of 1986,” as he pushed the start button on coin press No. 105, and the rest is history.

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.

The Obverse of Type 1 Silver Eagles

American Silver Eagles are rich in history. The obverse is based on the historic design by Adolph A. Weinman’s “Walking Liberty” silver half-dollar from 1916 to 1947, an immensely popular design amongst modern U.S. coinage. Seven decades later, Weinman’s quintessential design was revived for the American Silver Eagle in 1986. The obverse of the American Silver Eagle features Lady Liberty’s figure in left-profile relief, as she walks toward the setting sun on the horizon, carrying oak and laurel branches in her left arm, with her right hand outstretched toward the horizon, with the American flag draped over her shoulders. The inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” appear on the obverse of the coin along with the mintage date.

The Reverse of Type 1 Silver Eagles

The Silver Eagle name receives its moniker due to the reverse of the coin, which was designed by the talented modern-day engraver, John Mercanti, and portrays a heraldic eagle behind a shield, displaying American strength and pride. The heraldic eagle design has been used on American coinage since the beginning of the U.S. Mint in 1792.  This modern design is a powerful bald eagle with outstretched wings, and the national shield on its breast. The majestic eagle clutches the arrows of war in one talon and the olive branch of peace in the other, echoing the Great Seal of the United States, signifying strength through peace. The ribbon in the eagle’s beak has the phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” which is Latin for "Out of many, one."  Thirteen (13) stars arranged in a triangle above the eagle’s head, representing America’s original 13 colonies, the inscribed phrases, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR” also appear on this face. The artist's initials, “JM," appears just below the arrows, as well as the mintmark if applicable just below the olive branch. Silver Eagle coins are struck in 99.9% fine silver and weigh one Troy ounce (31.103 grams). Silver Eagles have a diameter measuring 40.6mm, with 2.98mm in thickness, and a reeded edge.

2021 US Mint Updates To The American Silver Eagle Design: The Type 2 Silver Eagle

In 2021, the iconic American Silver Eagle coin received a refreshed design for the first time in its 35-year history, integrating advanced technological capabilities in coin design and minting. The updated design that debuted in 2021 has been dubbed the Type 2 Silver Eagle. The obverse now features a refined depiction of Adolph A. Weinman’s classic Liberty in stride, closer to Weinman’s original intent. This refreshed design includes finer details and Weinman's traditional artist mark, enhancing the coin’s aesthetic and historical appeal.

On the new Type 2 Silver Eagle’s reverse, the coin showcases a new design depicting an eagle about to land, carrying an oak branch, symbolizing strength and continuity. The reverse also bears the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "1 OZ. FINE SILVER," and "ONE DOLLAR." Along with the aesthetic updates, the coin features enhanced security measures, including a reeded edge variation, to bolster its protection against counterfeiting.

This is an exciting and much-anticipated update for many collectors.

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.

Buy American Silver Eagle Coins For Sale | GovMint

When you buy American Silver Eagles at GovMint, you can rest assured that you are buying authentic United States coinage. Be sure to check out our assortment of ungraded 2024 Silver Eagles as well as certified options, like this Mint State 70 First Releases 2024 Silver Eagle paired with our exclusive eagle label. You can view our return policy here. Browse our website, GovMint.com, or call 1-800-642-9160 to see how American Silver Eagles can enhance your coin collection or silver stack today!