Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 1 Dollar 1986-2021, KM# 273, United States of America (USA), American Eagles, Silver Eagles
  • 1 Dollar 1986-2021, KM# 273, United States of America (USA), American Eagles, Silver Eagles
  • 1 Dollar 1986-2021, KM# 273, United States of America (USA), American Eagles, Silver Eagles, Reverse Proof
  • 1 Dollar 1986-2021, KM# 273, United States of America (USA), American Eagles, Silver Eagles, Reverse Proof
  • 1 Dollar 1986-2021, KM# 273, United States of America (USA), American Eagles, Silver Eagles, With mintmark
Description

The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. It was first released by the United States Mint on November 24, 1986. It is struck only in the one-troy ounce size, which has a nominal face value of one dollar and is guaranteed to contain one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver.

The United States Mint has also produced different versions of the coin specifically for coin collectors. From 1986 to present, the Mint has produced and offered Proof Silver Eagles. These coins are struck with specially prepared dies to create sharp features, mirror like backgrounds, and frosted design elements. From 2006 to present, the US Mint also produced a collectible uncirculated version, struck on specially burnished blanks and carrying the “W” mint mark.

Other special versions of the coin have been offered to coincide with the 10th, 20th, 25th and 30th anniversaries of the program etc.:
• To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the American Silver Eagle program in 2006, the Mint issued a special "Reverse Proof Silver Eagle" coin minted at Philadelphia. The reverse proof coin features a frosted background and mirrored raised surfaces (the opposite of a typical proof coin of the series).
• To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the program in 2016, both the proof and uncirculated versions of the coin were issued with a plain edge and incused designation of the anniversary.
• On November 5, 2020, the Mint issued the "End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle" silver proof coin. This special coin has a privy mark on its obverse in the shape of a bird's eye view of the Rainbow Pool, along with lettering that says "V75".

Obverse

A full–length figure of Liberty in full stride, enveloped in folds of the flag, with her right hand extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left.

The design on the coin'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, the word LIBERTY, and the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST.

L I B E R T Y
IN GOD
WE TRUST
1986

Reverse

Depicts a heraldic eagle behind a shield; the eagle grasps 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 is 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.

Bullion Silver Eagle coins do not have mintmarks. From 1986 to 1992, proof Silver Eagle coins were minted at San Francisco and these coins bear the "S" mintmark. From 1993 to 2000, they were minted at Philadelphia and these coins bear the "P" mintmark. From 2001 they were minted at West Point and these coins bear the "W" mintmark. From 2006 to 2008 and beginning again in 2011, the United States Mint issued a collectible uncirculated Silver Eagle coin produced at West Point (bearing the "W" mintmark). The coins are struck on specially burnished blanks and sometimes are referred to as "W Uncirculated" or "Burnished Uncirculated."

Engraver: John Mercanti (JM)

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA •
E PLURIBUS UNUM
JM
1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR

Edge

In 2016, the Mint issued "30th Anniversary" editions of the coin to celebrate the program's 30th anniversary. The coins were produced in both proof and uncirculated versions, and feature a special rim design with the inscription “30th ANNIVERSARY” incused on the edge of the coin, replacing the normal reeded edge.

1 Dollar

Silver Bullion Coinage
KM# 273 Schön# 216
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 31.103 g
Diameter 40.6 mm
Thickness 2.98 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Philadelphia Mint (P)
Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark)
San Francisco Mint (S)
San Francisco Mint (no mintmark)
West Point Mint (W)
West Point Mint (no mintmark)

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