American Silver Eagles

1986-Date

The American Silver Eagle was struck as a bullion coin and contains 1 oz of 0.999 silver. They were struck as business strikes and as a slightly more valuable proof for collectors. Proofs come in an attractive presentation case along with an insert containing information about the coin.

Business strikes were primarily struck in Philadelphia with no mint mark while silver proofs were struck in San Francisco with a small S mint mark noticeable on the reverse below the tail feathers. They were also struck at the West Point Mint with a small W mintmark on the reverse beginning in 1995. The 1995 proof with a mintage of 30,125 is a highly valued coin (about $2500 or more in higher proof grades) and should be certified. The “W” mint mark on the reverse of the coin is also used to distinguish between burnished coins and the bullion strikes.The United States Mint issued Uncirculated Silver Eagles from West Point with a W mint mark from 2006-2008 and again in 2011.

Over the years, different reverse designs, and varieties including an enhanced reverse proof were made for collectors, some of which command a significant premium. One such variety is the burnished 2008-W with the reverse of 2007 with an estimated mintage of 47,000. The U of “United” on the reverse of the 2008 coin lacks the serif line to the right of the U as seen on the reverse of 2007.

Two minor doubled dies have been reported for the American Silver Eagle. The 1990-S Proof, WDDO-001 shows an image spread at the bottom left of Ms. Liberty’s skirt and at her lower left foot, and the 2011 WDDO-001 shows a thickness at the date and slight spread at Ms. Liberty’s lower left skirt.

The 2019-S Enhanced Proof Reverse with a mintage of 29,909 sets is another premium variety that is valued at $1000 or more in higher proof grades.

Coins certified by the more well recognized grading services in perfect Mint State 70 or Proof 70 grade can command substantial numismatic premiums.

A list of the many NGC certified American Silver Eagle dollars minted from 1986 to date with populations is given at Silver Eagles (1986-Date) | Coin Census Population Report | NGC and retail prices is given at Silver Eagles (1986-Date) | Price Guide & Values | NGC(Courtesy of NGCcoin.com). 

 A list of the many PCGS certified American Silver Eagle dollars minted from 1986 to date with populations is given at Silver Eagles - PCGS Population Report and retail prices is given at Silver Eagles (1986 to Date) Values - PCGS Price Guide. (Courtesy of PCGS.com)

The Official Red Book, A Guide of American Silver Eagles (2023) by Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez by Whitman Publishing, LLC Pelham, AL is a good reference.