Due to unprecedented demand, the San Francisco Mint in 2011 was directed to begin minting the Silver American Eagle, the official 1 oz U.S. silver bullion coin. Prior to this, American Silver Eagles were only minted at the U.S. Mint’s West Point facility. However, American Silver Eagles DO NOT have a mint mark. In other words, Silver Eagles from the San Francisco Mint are indistinguishable from Silver Eagles from the West Point Mint. The only distinguishing attribute between the two mints are the Monster Box seals that indicate the Mint of origin. If the seal on the San Francisco Mint Monster Box is removed, there would be no way to distinguish them from the West Point Mint Monster Box.
The American Silver Eagle was first produced in 1986, and is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. The coin has a face value of $1 dollar and contains one troy oz. of 99.9% pure silver. The United States Mint produces a proof version (which include a mint mark) and an uncirculated version for the numismatic market.
The obverse design is taken from the Walking Liberty Half Dollar designed by Adolph A. Weinman, and minted between 1916 to 1947. The reverse was designed by John Mercanti and portrays a heraldic eagle behind a shield under thirteen five-pointed stars representing the thirteen colonies. These coins come in brilliant uncirculated condition.
2011 represented a record for Silver Eagle Sales, with just under 40 million sold, or 39,868,500.
American Silver Eagles are IRA eligible.
For more information on Precious Metal IRAs, please check our IRA Page: Precious Metal IRA
Front/Obverse
The obverse design features A.A. Weinman's "Walking Liberty," introduced on the Walking Liberty silver half-dollar which was minted from 1916-1947. "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and the year is also inscribed on the obverse.
Rear/Reverse
The reverse design features an eagle grasping an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. The eagle is situated behind a shield, and under 13 stars representing the original thirteen colonies. The Design is by sculptor John Mercanti.
Coin Specifications
- Weight: 31.103 grams
- Diameter: 40.6 mm - 1.598"
- Thickness: 2.98 mm - 0.117"
- Face Value: $1.00
Other Facts
The law which authorized the American Silver Eagle mandated that all production be sourced from silver mined in the United States.
The U.S. Mint states that the American Silver Eagle is the "world's only silver bullion coin whose weight, content and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government."
The Silver American Eagle contains a trace amount of copper.