The 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle (Buy on eBay) 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 Proof 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 was originally priced at $999.00. During the period of availability from the United States Mint, 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. Thus the proof issues for this year carrying the “P” mint mark are more common, while the coins bearing the “W” mint mark are scarce and valuable.
The 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle emerged as a fortuitous rarity for anyone who purchased the 10th Anniversary Set. The key date Silver Eagle can sell for prices of $3,000 or more depending on condition. This is actually more than the current value for the other four gold coins originally included in the set.
In recent years, the prices for top graded examples of the modern rarity have surged due to demand from Registry Set collectors. Examples of the 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo have sold for price of $15,000 or more. An example graded PCGS PR70DCAM realized the astounding price of $85,654.70 on March 31, 2013, representing the highest price ever paid for any American Silver Eagle. Later in the year, another example receiving the same PCGS graded sold for the even higher price of $90,000.
