Homepage / Bullion Coins: U.S. Coins / 1oz. American Eagle Silver

Last Updated on 09/14/2026

1oz. American Eagle Silver
Bullion Coin

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1986 - Present 
(Type I & II)

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On the 9th of July in 1985, the United States Congress passed the Liberty Coin Act, Title II (page 3, section 202) of the law authorized the U.S. Mint to start producing Silver American Eagle bullion coins. 

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

The law authorized the U.S. Mint to start producing Silver American Eagle bullion coins for investors and proof and uncirculated versions for collectors.

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

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Design of the
1oz. American Eagle Silver
Bullion Coin

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Type I - Reverse (1986 - 2021)

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The obverse side of the American Eagle Silver bullion coin displays  Adolph A. Weinman's design of the "Walking Liberty," which was originally used for the United States "Walking Liberty" Half-Dollar silver coin, issued from 1916 to 1947.

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The edge of the coin is reeded.

Coin photo provided courtesy of SD Bullion

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Type I - Reverse (1986 - 2021)

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

The reverse side of the silver bullion coin mimics the Great Seal of the United States;" it portrays an American Bald Eagle behind an American shield, with a ribbon in its beak that says "E PLURIBUS UNUM," grasping an olive branch with its right talon and arrows in its left talon.

The arrows and olive branch together symbolize that the United States has "a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war."

Above the eagle are thirteen five-pointed stars, representing the original Thirteen Colonies of the United States of America.

Inscriptions:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  
• E PLURIBUS UNUM  (Latin for "Out of Many, One")
• • 1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR •
  
• JM  (John Mercanti's initials)

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.

Coin photo provided courtesy of SD Bullion

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American Eagle
Silver Bullion Coin  -  Type II 

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2021 - Present

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In 2021, coinciding with the American Eagle Bullion Coins 35th Anniversary, the United States Mint announced that several design changes were coming to the reverse sides of the American Eagles Silver and Gold bullion coins.

The announcement revealed that the American Eagle Silver and Gold bullion coins will undergo design improvements on their obverse sides and complete changes on their reverse side.

The U.S. Mint received 39 images for final approval of the American Eagle Silver bullion coin's reverse design, the design below was the one chosen.

Type II - Redesign Features

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

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

Note: the investment bullion coin version of the American Eagle Silver does not have a "Mint Mark" on its reverse side, unlike the proof and uncirculated numismatic versions of the coin.

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Type II - Obverse (2021 - Present)

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The obverse side of the American Eagle Silver bullion coin displays Adolph A. Weinman's design of the "Walking Liberty," which was originally used for the United States "Walking Liberty" Half-Dollar silver coin, issued from 1916 to 1947.

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Coin Photos Courtesy of The US Mint.

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Type II - Reverse (2021 - Present)

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The new design on the reverse side of the American Eagle Silver bullion coin depicts an eagle landing and carrying an oak branch (strength) as if it were adding it to a nest.

Inscriptions:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  
• E PLURIBUS UNUM  (Latin for "Out of Many, One")
• • ONE DOLLAR • 1 OZ. FINE SILVER
  
• ESD (initials of Emily Damstra, designer)
• MG (initials of Michael Gaudioso, sculptor)
  

The edge of the coin is reeded with one missing reed to deter counterfeiting.

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.

Coin Photos Courtesy of The US Mint.

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Type II - Reeded Edge Security Feature

The new edge on the American Eagle Silver is the U.S. Mint's latest attempt to stop counterfeiters from reproducing one of the world's most sought-after bullion coins.

The newest anti-counterfeiting measure is a Missing Reed on the silver bullion coin's reeded edge.

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Where & How American Eagle
Silver Bullion Coins
are Made

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The United States Mint's satellite facility, the West Point Mint in New York, is the primary location for all bullion coin production.

However, when demand is high, the US Mint will make bullion coins at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints.

The following video is about how the American Eagle Silver bullion coin is made at the West Point Mint.

Minting the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin.

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1oz. American Eagle Silver Bullion 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% / 999 per mille

Silver Content:..........................1 troy oz. / (31.072 grams)

Composition:.............................99.90% Silver, Balance Copper

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

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

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

Type I Obverse Designer:..........Adolph A. Weisman 

Type I Reverse Designer:...........John Mercant

Type II Obverse Designer:.........Adolph A. Weisman

Type II Reverse Designer:.........Emily Damstra

Type II Reverse Sculptor:..........Michael Gaudioso

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

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

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Type I

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

Type II

2021.........13,968,500..|..1,000,000..|.................0..|......n/a....|...14,968,500

Type I  &  Type II

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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Type II

2022........15,963,500....................................n/a...|....16,000,000

2023........24,750,000....................................n/a...|....24,750,000

2024........22,860,000..................................n/a...|.... 24,862,000

2025........11,568,000....................................n/a...|....11,568,000 

2026........4,816,5000....................................n/a...|....9,455,500  

Mintages Last Updated on 09/14/2026

*Official "Year Dated" Mintage Figures have not been released

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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 Free-Bullion-Investment-Guide's blog posts below detail the process of obtaining mintage figures for West Point, San Francisco, and Philadelphia Mints between 1986-1998.

• Missing : American Silver Eagle Bullion Coins

• Found and Revealed American Silver Eagles

The US Mint's mintage figures from 1986–1998 were obtained through a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.

The US Mint's response to this guide's FOIA request is seen here on page 1, page 2, and page 3.

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