⭐️Silver Eagle Proofs
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Updated:
4/24/2026
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First released by the United States Mint on November 24, 1986, the Silver Eagle was America's first-ever one troy ounce, 99.9% silver bullion coin.
The idea for the American Silver Eagle bullion program stemmed from our government's plans through the 1970s and early 80s to sell off silver from the Defense National Stockpile. After a 10+ year-long legislative battle, the American Silver Eagle was finally pressed into existence. Initial inventories sold out, as the coins proved to be immensely popular.
In addition to the bullion issues, the United States Mint produces proof, uncirculated and special edition issues of the American Silver Eagle. Since their advent, these beloved coins have endured uncertain times in America, including a global recession and a global pandemic. They're just as popular today as they were in 1986.
As one may be able to surmise while perusing NGC's American Silver Eagle (ASE) competitive sets, the ASE is by far my favorite coin. It takes me back to my childhood when I spent countless hours examining my grandfather's cigar box full of coins. His collection of Walking Liberties is indelibly etched in my memories-- it is the design that holds the most meaning to me, on a familial level and a patriotic level.
Speaking of design...
The design of the American Silver Eagle's obverse was taken from the "Walking Liberty" design by Adolph A. Weinman, which originally had been used on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin of the United States from 1916 to 1947. As this iconic design had been a public favorite—and one of the most beloved designs of any United States coinage of modern times, silver or otherwise—it was revived for the Silver Eagle decades later. The obverse is inscribed with the year of minting or issuance, the word LIBERTY, and the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST. The obverse was slightly updated in 2021 (along with the reverse redesign) to feature a new rendering of Weinman's design and the addition of his artist mark under IN GOD WE TRUST.
From 1986 to 2021, the reverse was designed by John Mercanti and portrayed a heraldic eagle behind a shield; the eagle grasping an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left talon, echoing the Great Seal of the United States; above the eagle are thirteen five-pointed stars representing the Thirteen Colonies. The reverse was inscribed with the phrases UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM (on the banner that the eagle holds in its beak), as well as the mintmark if applicable. The design was slightly modified starting with 2008 coins; most notable is the addition of a serif on the U of UNITED, and a slight change between SILVER and ONE.
The reverse of the 2021 American Silver Eagle (Type 2) was designed by Emily Damstra and shows an eagle landing on a branch-- much like that of the reverse of the 1971 Eisenhower Dollar Coins. The reverse is inscribed with the phrases UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER•ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM, as well as the mintmark, if applicable.
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