Just like Gold American Eagles, their identical silver counterparts were first released in 1986. Augustus Saint-Gaudens was behind the depiction of Liberty as depicted on the obverse side of the coin. The same design originally showed up on the Double Eagle gold coin that was first released in 1907. The coin’s face value was $20. The Silver Eagle has been produced at only 3 mints; the Philadelphia Mint, San Francisco Mint, and the West Point Mint.

A unique upside to the Silver American Eagles are that they can be used to fund individual retirement investments. The reason the United States started producing the American Eagle coins was to sell off silver from the Defense National Stockpile. The plan was conceived during the 1970s and 80s. This was an effort to bolster the depressed silver value of the time in the United States and elsewhere. The content, weight, and purity of this coin are all certified by the United States Mint.

The obverse side of the coin boasts Adolph A. Weinman’s “Walking Liberty” design which originally appeared on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar that was circulated from 1916-1947. Even though the original design was memorable and loved by almost everyone in America, it was slightly altered and changed for its appearance on the Silver Eagles.

On the obverse of each coin there is an inscription stating when the coin was minted along with the word “Liberty” and the phrase “In God We Trust.” The reverse side of the coin was designed by John Mercanti and depicts a majestic Eagle behind a shield. In the image the Eagle is holding an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left which has long been a historic symbol of the United States. Above the eagle there are thirteen 5-point stars that represent the United States’ original 13 colonies. Inscribed on the reverse side is “United States of America, 1 Oz. Fine Silver-One Dollar.”

Sizes and Denominations of the American Silver Eagle

The Silver Eagles have a diameter of 40.6 millimeters which is pretty standard for a 1 ounce silver coin. The coin boasts a thickness 2.98 millimeters as well a weight of 31.1 grams which is standard as well. The Silver American Eagle is only minted in the 1 ounce version of the coin, unlike its Gold Eagle counterpart.

Buying Silver Eagles

Silver American Eagles are yet another coin that is really easy to find in North America. Especially in the United States, these coins are virtually everywhere. These coins are popular among collectors because of their elegance and beautiful design. Investors too look to Silver Eagles because of their purity. The fact that these coins are 99% pure silver makes them a great investment tool.

Local dealers and internet vendors alike have large stocks of these coins most of the time. Another great aspect of Silver Eagles is that they are newer coins which means they are not rare or hard to find quite yet. Silver Eagles make any collection better simply because of their significance, the design on the coin has been a part of American history since the early 1900s and these coins themselves are slowly becoming a part of history. Any American coin collector should consider Silver Eagles a must-have in their collection.