American Silver Eagle

American Silver Eagles - American Silver Eagles are one of the most popular American-minted silver bullion coins in the world. They contain .999 fine silver and bear a beautiful intricate design. These coins are produced and guaranteed by the American government. American Silver Eagles provide a great store of value during turbulent times. 

What Are American Silver Eagle Coins?

The American Silver Eagle Coin is the most popular silver bullion coin in the world. These bullion coins are minted in the United States and have a face value of $1.00 and contain 1 oz of fine silver. The coin is fairly new with humble beginnings in the 1970’s. The United States Government had an excess of silver that was stored in a strategic stock pile, held in reserve to be used in military electronic systems. However the stock pile was growing and a national deficit was mounting. So, to diminish the stock pile and mounting US debt the Silver American Eagle was first introduced on November 24th, 1986 by the United States Mint.

Silver Eagle Design and Specifications

The Silver Eagle is only struck in one 1 oz versions, with a face value of one dollar ($1) and thus they are sometimes referred to as an “American Silver Eagle Dollar”. Their content, weight, and purity have been certified by the United States Mint to contain one troy ounce of.999 fine silver.

The obverse, or front, of the coin is derived from the design of the nation’s first circulating half-dollar, designed by Adolph A. Weinman, which debuted in 1916. Mr. Weinman’s initials can still be found upon closer inspection on the hem of Lady Liberty’s gown.

The reverse of the coin depicts a design by John Mercanti, which includes a shield in front of a heraldic eagle. In its right talons, the eagle holds an olive branch, and in its left are 13 arrows. Charles Thomson, who crafted the very similar-looking Presidential Seal, explained that “The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war, which is exclusively vested in Congress.”

Who Buys American Silver Eagles?

Investors like to buy the coins because they are made of silver. Silver has been consider valuable for many thousands of years and has been used in currency from ancient to modern times. The Silver American Eagle is an example of a modern bullion coin. While the Eagle Dollar only carries a guaranteed face value of $1 dollar, millions of these coins are purchased at much higher prices each year.

The coins are relatively inexpensive to buy especially when compared to other coins containing precious metals like gold and platinum. A one ounce gold coin can sell for $1200 or more depending on the market price per ounce. Because silver is cheaper per ounce, a silver coin may sell for under $20.00. This means you can buy 60 silver eagles vs buying a single gold eagle. So your investment in silver may also have the benefit of the ownership of “quantity”. Owning a couple of rolls of Silver Eagles may be more emotional fulfilling when compared to owning a single gold coin.

Investors may see a greater return on their investment with silver because with today silver prices being down from its all-time highs at larger percentage than other precious metal coins.

Coin collectors like to purchase silver eagle coins because they are low priced compared to other precious metals coins. These are very attractive coins and appear on PCGS top 100 coins of all time. The design is based on the famous 'Walking Liberty' of Adolph Weinman's 1916 U.S. half-dollar, widely believed to be one of the most stunning coins ever minted. Every Silver Eagle is a fastidiously fashioned work of art, produced to the exacting standards of The United States Mint. These coins are recognized by precious metal investors and coin collectors all over the world and as a result can be very liquid (easier to sell) compared to most other coins.

Types of American Silver Eagle Coins

One of the primary coins that can be found in many collectors portfolios is the American Silver Eagle. This coin is a popular start up coin for those novices just beginning to build an investment portfolio and is available in three different versions produced by the U.S. Mint including: bullion, uncirculated, and proof.

Bullion
The bullion version of this coin is mostly popular among investors rather than collectors. Bullion coins receive their value from their weight in precious metal content. Unlike proof and uncirculated coins, bullion coins are unadorned by mint marks and do not have aesthetically pleasing finishes. The bullion version is the most widely available and lowest grade American Silver Eagle. However, since 2007 the sales and number of American Silver Eagles minted have quadrupled, indicating a huge increase in demand as people seek out a strong and reliable asset during these unstable economic times.

Proof
The proof version of the American Silver Eagles is mostly popular among collectors and in fact they were produced specifically with collectors in mind. Proof versions are struck several times, using a special die that gives them their polished and brilliant shine. These coins receive their value beyond their weight in metal and can be valued higher due to their condition and rarity. The proof version also made its debut in 1986 and has a face value of $1. They were in production every year except in 2009 because the U.S. Mint had to stop its production due to a huge demand in the bullion version and not enough blanks to produce both types.

Uncirculated
The uncirculated American Silver Eagle version is also a huge hit among collectors. Collectors hold the uncirculated version in high esteem due to its nearly perfect condition and affordability. You can purchase these coins most of the time for just slightly over the spot price, which makes them highly desired by many collectors. The uncirculated version falls in between the bullion and proof version offering a happy medium option. In 2006 the U.S. Mint introduced a new version of uncirculated Silver Eagles, known as “W Uncirculated” or “Burnished Uncirculated.” These coins are produced every year at the West Point mint and are struck on uniquely burnished blanks.

Most Popular Alternative to Silver Eagles

The most popular alternative to the American Silver Eagle is the Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coin. The 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf is produced at the Royal Canadian Mint and is one of the world’s premier government-issued pure silver coins. Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins are .9999 fine silver and consist of precisely 1 oz of silver.

There is not a lot of significance placed on the difference between coins containing .999 silver and those containing .9999 silver. In fact even though the American Silver Eagle has a lower purity level than the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf the “ Eagle” is still the best selling 1oz silver coin in the world. There are still however some investors who believe that some day there may be a significant difference placed on the level of purity between the coins and may choose to invest in the Canadian Silver Maple Leafs instead due to its higher level of purity.

Can I Buy Silver Eagle Bullion Coins From the US Mint?

No, The U.S. Mint does not sell American Eagle bullion coins directly to the public. You must buy the bullion version of the American Silver Eagle from a coin dealer like ITM Trading. The coins are offered individually, or you can purchase them in bulk, whether in mint tubes of 20 coins or in the popular, mint-sealed “Monster Box.” We do offer bulk discounts on larger quantities.

How Do You Spot Fake American Silver Eagles?

(1) What does the coin look like?
Many fakes are so bad they don't get past the look test. Silver Eagles have a very distinct look to them as seen in the video. Many fakes are either too shiny or too dull and soapy looking.

(2) What does the coin weigh?
The weight of of real coins will be in the 31.1-31.5g range and fake coins usually will weigh less.

(3) Does the silver coin pass a magnet test? 
If the coin, bar or ingot sticks to the magnet, then you’ve got a fake likely made of iron ferrite.

(4) Doing the Ring test.
A real Silver eagle will have a distinct ring to it when it is dropped. A fake will sound like a thud when dropped.

Does ITM Trading Buy Back Coins?

Yes, ITM currently has a policy that we will repurchase coins from customers who bought their coins from us. If you decide to sell your coins to ITM, we generally will purchase your coins at our current bid price on the day in which we receive your coins at our corporate office. For more information about our policies please visit our Market Loss & Ordering Policies web page.

If you have any questions about The American Silver Eagle Coin or the buying process please call us at 1-800-846-2577 we are here to help you!