The American Eagle is one of the most popular collectible coins and is available in both silver and gold variations. We discussed the gold variety in our previous blog, and today, we’ll continue our discussion with an in-depth look at the silver American Eagle. Here’s what you need to know.
A Bit of History
The silver was first released on November 24, 1986, just a few days before Thanksgiving of that year. It was created to help reduce the amount of silver in the Defense National Stockpile, which stores a variety of raw materials. Thus, the American Silver Eagle was created. Each coin is guaranteed to contain one troy-ounce of 99.9-percent pure silver. Although the price of silver fluctuates on the open market, the coin holds a monetary value of $1 and can be used to make purchases or fund investment and retirement accounts.
The Design of the Silver American Eagle
On the “heads” side of the coin, an image of the Statue of Liberty walking emblazons the surface, along with the words, “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and the mint year. This iconic image of Lady Liberty has been featured on coins throughout history and remains a perennial favorite among numismatists. On the “tails” side, you’ll find a heraldic eagle and 13 five-pointed stars, representing the original 13 colonies. The back of the coin also includes the minting designation, letting you know at which U.S. Mint the coin was produced.
Types of Silver American Eagles
In addition to the standard bullion coin, the U.S. Mint has also produced proof and uncirculated versions of the coin specifically for coin collectors. Special edition varieties are also available, commemorating historical events and milestone years. Coin collectors should take care to identify the type of coin they are looking to purchase to ensure that they pay a fair value. Proof, uncirculated and special edition coins all come in protective plastic cases, making them perfect for collectors. These cases protect the coins from damage and keep the silver from tarnishing over time, so your silver American Eagle will stay in mint condition for decades to come.
Silver Eagles and More
Here at Roswell Gold, Silver & Coins, we understand what it truly means to be a numismatist. Our staff is highly knowledgeable about American Eagles and a broad range of other collectible coins from the United States and from around the world. We are always more than happy to answer your questions about the coins we have for sale, so don’t be shy about asking for more information. We would love to help you discover your love of coin collecting, so stop by and see us to see our latest acquisitions and to add to or start your collection. Buy, sell or trade your collectible coins with us today!