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1oz. American Silver Eagle
Bullion Coin

1986 - Present

The United States Mint produced the first American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin on November 24, 1986; the silver coin's content, weight, and purity are all certified by the United States Mint.

On the 9th of July in 1985, the United States Congress passed the Liberty Coin Act, the law authorized the US Mint to start producing Gold and Silver American Eagle bullion coins.

The American Silver Eagle bullion coin is the official silver bullion investment coin of the United States.

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Design of the
1oz. American Silver Eagle
Bullion Coin

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Obverse

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The obverse side of the American Silver Eagle bullion coin displays Adolph A. Weinman's design of the "Walking Liberty."

The design had originally been used in the United States "Walking Liberty" half a dollar silver coin, issued from 1916 to 1947.

The design depicts Lady Liberty walking in front of the rising sun.

She is cloaked in the American flag, with her right arm extended, and her left arm cradling branches of laurel and oak.

Adolph A. Weinman's initials are found on the hem of Lady Liberty's gown.

Inscribed across the top of the 1oz Silver coin is the word "LIBERTY."

In addition, the American motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" the silver bullion coin's 'Year of Issue' are found on this side.

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Reverse - Type I

John Mercanti, the twelfth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, now retired, designed the reverse side of the 1 oz. American Silver Bullion Coin.

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The reverse side of the silver bullion coin portrays an American Bald Eagle, behind an American shield.

The American eagle is grasping an olive branch with its right talon and arrows in its left talon, mimicking the Great Seal of the United States.

The banner that the eagle is holding in its beak says "E PLURIBUS UNUM," which is Latin for "Out of many, one."

Above the eagle, is Thirteen Five-pointed stars, representing the original Thirteen Colonies.

The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are inscribed across the top  of the coin.

The silver bullion coin's Weight "1 OZ.," and its Purity and Face Value "FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR" are inscribed along the bottom of the coin.

John Mercanti's initials are located directly under the eagle's talon that is holding the arrows.

Note: American Eagle bullion coins do not have a Mint Mark; only the Collector's Proof and Collector's Un-Circulated Versions of the Silver American Eagles have a mint mark, on the reverse side.

1 oz. American Silver Eagle Photos Courtesy of : The US Mint.

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Reverse - Type II

Coinciding with the American Eagle Bullion Coins 35th Anniversary, the United States Mint announced the first change to the Mint’s two best-selling coin programs. 

They would be introducing new designs for the reverse sides of the American Silver Eagles and American Gold Eagles in 2021. 

These 39 images, seen here, were provided to the U.S. Mint for the final approval of the silver eagle's final design, the reverse design below was the one chosen.

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The type II reverse design of the American Silver Eagle displays an eagle about to land with an oak branch in its talons. This design was crafted by Emily Damstra, and was sculpted by medallic artists Michael Gaudioso. 

Inscribe around the perimeter of the type II's reverse side are the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - ONE DOLLAR - 1 OZ. FINE SILVER and  "E PLURIBUS UNUM," which is Latin for "Out of many, one."

The designer and sculptor's initial are located on the left and right side of the oak branch.

1 oz. American Silver Eagle Photos Courtesy of : The US Mint.

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Type II - Edge Security Feature

The U.S. Mint announced the new type II design for the 2021 American Silver Eagle has new security features.

The missing reed on the coin's reeded edge is the most noticeable security feature.

The missing reed is found at the same spot on every coin; on the obverse side it is found at 6 o'clock and on the reverse, the missing reed is at 12 o'clock position.

Silver Eagle Redesign Features

The image below from the U.S. Mint displays all the new features of the American Silver Eagle - type II.

The proof and bullion versions of the American silver eagle received these changes.

Note: the Bullion Version of the American Silver Eagle does not have a "Mint Mark" on its reverse side.

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Where & How
American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins
are Made

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The West Point Mint in New York is the primary location for all bullion coin production.

However, it has been revealed that when the West Point Mint was unable to meet production demand, the US Mint would mint American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints.

Millions of American Eagle silver bullion coins struck at San Francisco, Philadelphia Mints - Coin World

During years of high demand, all the facilities of the U.S. Mint cooperate to ensure a large inventory of American Eagle Bullion Coins are available for the consumer.

January is usually the busiest month of the year for the sales of American Eagle Bullion Coins.

Below is a Video from the US Mint explaining the process of Minting the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin.

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1oz. American Silver Eagle
Coin Information

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Introduction:......1986

IRA Approved:....Yes

Grade:...............Uncirculated

Face Value:........$1 US

Total Weight:......31.10 grams

Purity:...............99.90% / .9990

Silver Content:...Silver 0.999 troy oz. (ozt.) / (31.072 grams)

Composition:.....99.9% Silver, Balance Copper

Diameter:..........40.6 mm / (1.598 inches)

Thickness:.........2.98 mm / (0.120 inch)

Mint Mark:.........No

Designers:.........Adolph A. Weisman & John Mercanti

Edge:................Reeded

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1oz. American Silver Eagle
Bullion Coins
Mintage and Sales Figures

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Type I

2021.........11,811,000..|..1,000,000..|.......495,500..|...................13,306,500

Type II

2021.........13,968,500..|..1,000,000..|..................0..|...................14,968,500

2021 - American Silver Eagle Total................28,275,000

See the Full 2021 American Eagle Bullion Coin breakdown here >>> U.S. Mint releases 2021 bullion coin mintages - Coin World

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2022........15,963,500..................................................................15,963,500

2023........20,196,000..................................................................20,196,000

Mintage Figures have been Updated as of 10/20/2023

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2020 Silver Eagles

2020 American Eagle Philadelphia and San Francisco Mint bullion coin articles

5/8/2020 - 2020 American Eagle silver bullion coins from Philadelphia Mint being certified - Coin World

10/30/2020 - San Francisco bullion dollars offered to authorized purchasers - Coin World

10/30/2020 - US Mint to Offer 2020-S American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins in San Francisco Labeled Monster Boxes - CoinNews

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1986 - 1998  Silver Eagles
Satellite Mint Mintage Figures

The Blog posts below explain the mintage numbers above between 1986 - 1998 from West Point, San Francisco, Philadelphia Mints.

• Missing : American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins

• Missing : American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins - Update #1

• Missing : American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins - Update #2

• Found and Revealed American Silver Eagles

The 1986 - 1998 mintage figures were obtained by the US Mint through a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.

See the separate pages of the US Mint's answer to this guide's FOIA request submitted by Steven Warrenfeltz, seen here: page-1, page-2, and page-3.

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American Eagle Silver

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