2010 American Silver Eagle

The 2010 Silver Eagle was first available as a bullion coin on January 19, 2010. The status of the 2010 Proof Silver Eagle and 2010-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle will remain contingent upon the US Mint's ability to meet the full public demand for the bullion coins.

The initial offering of the 2010 Silver Eagles took place later than usual. Typically, coins bearing the coming year's date are produced in quantity in November or December of the preceding year. This allows authorized purchasers to place orders for the coins in December for delivery in early January. Amidst a resurgence in demand for bullion coins, the US Mint continued production of 2009-dated coins through year end. This resulted in a delay of the full scale production of 2010-dated coins, pushing back the offering schedule.

The United States Mint continues to struggle with the heightened demand for precious metals products. The worldwide surge in demand for physical precious metals investment first caused problems for the Mint during 2008. Early in the year they were forced to suspend taking new orders from bullion dealers as they attempted to build an inventory to deal with the increased level of demand. Ultimately, the US Mint was forced to adopt an allocation program, which limited the number of coins that were supplied to each dealer. This rationing program continued into the following year.

By mid-2009, the US Mint had made some progress coping with the increased level of demand for American Silver Eagle bullion coins. They officially ended the allocation program that had been in place for more than a year. The signs of progress were short lived.

Late in 2009, the US Mint announced the cancellation of the collectible Proof and Uncirculated Silver Eagle coins. The Mint stated that they were legally required to devote all incoming precious metals blanks to the production of bullion coins until they could meet full public demand. By December, the continued high demand caused another Silver Eagle bullion coin sales suspension and a resumption of the rationing program.

The rationing program has continued with the offering of the 2010 Silver Eagles and will have implications for the collector versions of the coin. As in the prior year, whether the US Mint is able to fulfill bullion coin demand will determine whether 2010 Proof Silver Eagles and 2010-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles are eventually offered.

2008-W American Silver Eagle Reverse of 2007

For the first time in the American Silver Eagle series, a significant variety was released in 2008. This was known as the 2008-W Silver Eagle Reverse of 2007 Variety. The US Mint had slightly altered the reverse design between 2007 and 2008, and they inadvertently struck some 2008 coins with the 2007 reverse type.

The variety occurs on the 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle. This is the collectible or "burnished" version of the coin that the US Mint sold directly to collectors. The variety can be identified by examining two aspects of the reverse design. On the Reverse of 2007, the "U" in "United States" will be bowl shaped and the dash between "Silver" and "One" will be shaped like a tilde. On the reverse of 2008, the "U" will have a spur on the right side of the letter and the dash will be angled.

The Reverse of 2007 Variety is the scarcer version of the coin and carries a big premium. Shortly after the discovery of the coin, the US Mint estimated that approximately 47,000 of the variety may have been released. This estimate was based on the fact that West Point Mint employees found 15 dies with the reverse type of 2007.

Both PCGS and NGC attribute this variety as "Reverse of 2007".

2008-W Silver Eagle Reverse of 2007 For Sale

American Silver Eagle Green Monster Box

Bulk silver investors may be familiar with the Silver Eagle Green Monster Box. This is typically how large numbers of Silver Eagles are purchased in bulk. Each box contains 500 Silver Eagles.

Each American Silver Eagle contains one ounce of .999 pure silver. These are packaged into 20 coin rolls, which contain 20 ounces of silver. The Green Monster Box contains 25 of these rolls, for a total of 500 coins, or 500 ounces of silver.

As the name suggests, the boxes are green, heavy duty plastic, specifically created to hold the Silver Eagle Rolls. Twelve rolls fit on either side of the box with one roll in the center. The boxes are usually sealed with strapping across both lengths with a control sticker indicating the year of mintage. The U.S. Treasury seal is on the outside of the box.

Sealed Silver Eagle Green Monster Boxes have the benefit of being unsearched and unhandled since leaving the Mint. The price per coin is usually the lowest available since the coins are being purchased in bulk. Not all coin dealers will have these boxes available, however bullion dealers typically offer them.

Silver Eagle Green Monster Boxes For Sale

1995-W Proof American Silver Eagle

The 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle is the key date coin of the series. The coin has a mintage of only 30,125 pieces, which is extraordinarily low for such a popular and widely collected modern series.

The coin was produced and sold only as part of the 10th Anniversary American Eagle Five Coin Set. This set included the four 1995-W Proof Gold Eagle coins in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sizes, along with the 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle. This set was limited to 45,000 units and originally sold for $999.00 per set. A total of 30,125 sets were sold.

The US Mint did produce and sell a separate 1995 Proof Silver Eagle which was offered for $23.00, but this coin carried the "P" mint mark. This regular issue coin had a mintage of 407,822, which was typical for the coin at the time.

When the dust settled, the 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle emerged as a fortuitous rarity for anyone who purchased the expensive set. The key date Silver Eagle sells for about $3,000 currently. This is actually more than the current cost for the other four gold coins originally included in the set. Coins graded PCGS PR70DCAM or NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo sometimes sell for over $10,000 each.

1995-W Proof Silver Eagles For Sale

2009 American Silver Eagle

The 2009 Silver Eagle saw a carryover of some of the problems and issues that impacted the silver bullion coins in the prior year. High worldwide demand for precious metals bullion coins caused a continuing silver blank shortage for the United States Mint.

The bullion coins continued to be subject to rationing to start the year. Authorized purchasers of the coins were limited in the number that they were able to purchase. The rationing finally ended on June 15, when the US Mint was able to meet full demand for the coins. Unfortunately, a new round of demand caused a suspension of bullion coin sales late in the year and a resumption of the rationing program.

Because of the legal obligation to fulfill public demand for the bullion silver eagle coins, the US Mint was forced to cancel the issuance of the 2009 Proof Silver Eagle and the 2009-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle. These collectible offerings were not legally mandated, so the US Mint was forced to interrupt these series of collectible coins until they can meet full demand for bullion coins.

While collectible coins were canceled, brisk sales of bullion coins ensued, leading to the record high mintage of 30,459,000 for the 2009 Silver Eagle.

During 2009, the price of silver ranged from a low of $10.51 per ounce to a high of $19.18 per ounce. The cumulative average price for the year was $14.67.

2009 Silver Eagle Mintages

Bullion Mintage: 30,459,000
Proof Mintage: not minted
Uncirculated (Burnished) Mintage: not minted

2009 Silver Eagle Specifications

Mint Mark: none (bullion)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

2009 Silver Eagles For Sale

< 2008 Silver Eagle | 2010 Silver Eagle >

2008 American Silver Eagle

The 2008 Silver Eagle saw its mintage surge to a new all time high, nearly doubling the prior record. The spike in demand came amidst a sharp increase in the price of silver and surging worldwide demand for precious metals. Demand was so high that sales of the coin had to be suspended during the year and resumed on a rationed basis.

The strong demand for precious metals also impacted the collectible coin offerings. The 2008 Proof Silver Eagle had an unexpected sell out in August, which caused secondary market prices to quickly escalate. The reason behind the early sell out was the fact that the US Mint had to use all incoming silver blanks for production of bullion coins, and could not strike additional proof coins.

The 2008-W Silver Eagle was the collectible uncirculated version of the coin offered for a third year. The mintage for this version of the coin declined from the prior year level. The coin was also included in the 2008 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Set.

The year featured the first significant variety of the American Silver Eagle series. A small number of the 2008-W Silver Eagle coins were struck using the reverse dies of 2007. This created the variety known as the 2008-W Silver Eagle Reverse of 2007. Once the variety was discovered prices quickly escalated as strong demand emerged.

For collectors of certified coins, perfect graded become relatively easier across the board. Coins are attainable in NGC and PCGS MS70, as well as NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo and PCGS PR70DCAM.

The overall average price of silver during 2008 was $13.28 per ounce.

2008 Silver Eagle Mintages

Bullion Mintage: 20,583,000
Proof Mintage: 700,979
Uncirculated (Burnished) Mintage: 533,757*
*includes coins from the Annual Uncirculated Dollar Set, which remains on sale

2008 Silver Eagle Specifications

Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof & uncirculated)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

2008 Silver Eagles For Sale

< 2007 Silver Eagle | 2009 Silver Eagle >

2007 American Silver Eagle

The 2007 Silver Eagle showed a slight mintage decline from the prior year as the price of silver fell into a new range. This year was the last time the mintage was below the 10 million mark, as interest in silver increased in the following years. The mintage would more than double in 2008.

The United States Mint offered two collectible versions of the coin for collectors. This included the 2007 Proof Silver Eagle and 2007-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle. The proof coins were available starting March 27 and were priced at $29.95 each, a price increase of $2.00 from the prior year. Once again there was no maximum authorized mintage set. The uncirculated or burnished coins were offered beginning on June 13 and priced at $21.95 without a maximum mintage level set. This coin was also included in the 2007 Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set.

For collectors of certified coins, perfect graded become relatively easier across the board. Coins are attainable in NGC and PCGS MS70, as well as NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo and PCGS PR70DCAM.

The overall average price of silver during 2007 was $13.28 per ounce.

2007 Silver Eagle Mintages

Bullion Mintage: 9,028,036
Proof Mintage: 821,759
Uncirculated (Burnished) Mintage: 621,333*
*includes coins from the Annual Uncirculated Dollar Set

2007 Silver Eagle Specifications

Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof & uncirculated)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

2007 Silver Eagles For Sale

< 2006 Silver Eagle | 2008 Silver Eagle >

2006 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set

To celebrate the 20th year of American Silver Eagle coins, the US Mint released The 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. Each set included three Silver Eagle coins, one struck with a proof finish, one struck with an uncirculated finish, and one struck with a special reverse proof finish. The reverse proof coin features mirrored raised design elements over a frosted background, the opposite of the traditional proof finish.

The sets went on sale August 30, 2006 and were priced at $100 per set. The sets were limited to a maximum authorized mintage of 250,000 sets, with a household ordering limit of ten. The 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set sold out at the US Mint in approximately two weeks.

Separately, the US Mint issued a 20th Anniversary Gold & Silver Eagle Set. These sets contained uncirculated versions of the 2006-W Silver Eagle and 2006-W Gold Eagle. These sets were limited to 20,000 units and also sold out.

20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set Mintage

Three Coin Set: 248,875
Two Coin Set (Gold and Silver): 19,145

20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set Specifications

Mint Mark: W (proof & uncirculated coins), P (reverse proof coin)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Sets For Sale

2006 American Silver Eagle

The 2006 Silver Eagle marked the twentieth anniversary for the popular bullion coins series. The milestone came amidst a sharply higher price for silver and a surge in bullion coin sales.The final bullion coin mintage of 10,676,522, represented the third time that sales had exceeded the 10 million mark. The United States Mint expanded the number of Silver Eagles available for coin collectors and also released a special set.

The 2006 Proof Silver Eagle was offered with an unlimited maximum authorized mintage at the price of $27.95 per coin.

The 2006-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle was introduced. This was a collectible uncirculated version of the coin. It was struck on specially burnished blanks with a finish similar to the bullion coin. To further distinguish the collectible version, it also carried the "W" mint mark for mintage at the West Point Mint. These coins were offered individually for $19.95 each.

The 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set was offered beginning on August 30, 2006. This set contained one proof, one uncirculated, and one reverse proof Silver Eagle to mark the 20th anniversary of the series. The sets were offered at $100 each and limited to 250,000. The sets sold out in approximately two weeks.

For collectors of certified coins, perfect graded proof coins in both NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo and PCGS PR70DCAM are readily available. The 2006-W coins are readily available in NGC MS70 but tougher in PCGS MS 70. The bullion version of the coins are abundant in NGC MS 70, but scarce in PCGS MS70.

The overall average price of silver during 2005 was $11.54 per ounce.

2006 Silver Eagle Mintages

Bullion Mintage: 10,676,522
Proof Mintage: 1,092,477*
Uncirculated (Burnished) Mintage: 466,573*
* includes coins sold in the 20th Anniversary Sets

2006 Silver Eagle Specifications

Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof & uncirculated)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

2006 Silver Eagles For Sale

< 2005 Silver Eagle | 2007 Silver Eagle >

2005 American Silver Eagle

The 2005 Silver Eagle bullion coins had a mintage of 8,891,025. This was very close to the number of coins sold in the prior year, but would be the last year the mintage fell within the narrow range established over the prior few years.

The 2005 Proof Silver Eagle was offered by the United States Mint starting on March 15, 2005. This release date was several weeks earlier than typical. The coins were sold at $27.95 and had an unlimited mintage during the year of issue. In prior years, the Mint had set a maximum authorized mintage for the offering. The unlimited mintage helped bring proof coin sales to their highest level since 1987.

For collectors of certified coins, perfect graded proof coins in both NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo and PCGS PR70DCAM are relatively attainable. The US Mint continued to produce coins of consistently high quality. On the bullion coin side, NGC MS 70 coins are relatively abundant, while PCGS has not graded any coins in MS70.

The overall average price of silver during 2005 was $7.32 per ounce.

2005 Silver Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: 8,891,025
Proof Mintage: 816,663

2005 Silver Eagle Specifications

Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof)
Designers: Adolph A. Weinman (obverse), John Mercanti (reverse)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 40.6 mm (1.598 inches)
Thickness: 2.98 mm (0.117 inches)
Edge: Reeded

2005 Silver Eagles For Sale

< 2004 Silver Eagle | 2006 Silver Eagle >