The years from 1994 to 2000 were a tumultuous period for the American Silver Eagle coin programs. Mintage levels experienced both lows and highs, as enthusiasm levels for precious metals investment dropped and then surged leading into the new millennium. Some of the scarcest issues of the series occur during this period due to lower mintages and special offerings.
After some of the pent up demand for silver investment was fulfilled in the early years of the series, bullion sales and mintages fell. This trend reached its low point with the 1996 Silver Eagle, which had a final mintage of 3,603,386. This would represent a fraction of the large mintages experienced in later years of the series. According this and other lower mintage issues carry premiums and can be more difficult to locate.
At the other end of the spectrum, mintage levels began to rise leading up to Y2K. The highest mintages since the start of the program were attained for the years 1999 and 2000.
The collector component of the series continued in its traditional format with proof coins bearing the “P” mint mark offered for individual sales. During this period, some issues managed to achieve a sell out of the maximum authorized mintage. Special products also began to emerge during this era, most notably a special set issued in 1995 for the 10th anniversary of the program which contains the absolute key date for the series. Special products were also issued in 1993, 1997, and 2000 to celebrate certain milestones.
Find detailed information about the 1994-2000 Silver Eagles by date at the pages listed below.
- 1994 Silver Eagle
- 1995 Silver Eagle
- 1996 Silver Eagle
- 1997 Silver Eagle
- 1998 Silver Eagle
- 1999 Silver Eagle
- 2000 Silver Eagle
