The first-ever American silver eagle coins were released on November 24th, 1986. Initially, it was created and manufactured by the San Francisco Mint, the West Point Mint, and the Philadelphia Mint.
Since then, these magnificent coins have gone a long way and have finally become the signed and sealed silver bullion coin of the United States.
And here’s an interesting fact: these uniquely beautiful coins are said to hold one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver!
If you are interested in diversifying and protecting your wealth, you can get started with these beautiful American silver eagle coins. But before that, you need to know the basics about what it is.
Lucky for you, you are in the right place. So, keep reading to find out more!
A Brief History of the American Silver Eagle
As of 2021, the majestic American Silver Eagle coins stand as the official silver bullion coin representing the United States government.
Moreover, American Silver Eagle coins also are globally the most popular type of silver bullion coin. Also known as ASE coins, these coins weigh one troy ounce in ASW (Actual Silver Weight).
They were initially minted back in November 1986, but they have seen massive growth in the bullion industry. Since then, these coins have been mass-produced every year!
Because of this surge in popularity, the mint has also worked hard to manufacture collectible Silver Eagle coins that come with unique finishes. That makes them an item of particular interest for venture capitalists all over the world.
These splendid coins were first manufactured at West Point Mint, United States. However, they soon hit the Philadelphia Mint as well as the San Francisco Mint.
Due to this, the law requires the bullion industry to mint American Silver Eagle coins to be minted in big numbers to help meet the sudden demand.
3 Types of American Silver Eagle Coins
Ever since the first American silver eagle coin was released, more and more stockholders have sought it for financing purposes. It is one of the key reasons why these coins are not limited to just one type.
In fact, there are three varied types of these coins, including Bullion coins, Burnished coins, and Proof coins.
In this section, you will venture through these types that have been minted from way back in 1986 right up to this day!
Bullion Eagle Coins
If you are an avid capitalist looking to diversify your finances, you can get started with the Bullion American Eagle coins. The reason is that they are the most affordable type when compared to its other types.
Typically, these coins are sold to lenders who want to sink their finances in silver. However, they are not directly sold to the customers as they do not come with a mintmark.
Bullion eagle coins were first minted in the San Francisco Mint from the year 1986 to 1198. This shifted to the Philadelphia Mint from 1999 to 2000 and moved to the West Point Mint from 2001 to 2010.
However, it came back to its native home in San Francisco, where it was minted again from 2011 to 2013.
If you are interested in purchasing a few Bullion Eagle coins for yourself, make sure to examine the coin for its grading. This will tell you where the coin was actually minted.
For instance, if the coin has an “S” grading on it, you will understand that it came from the San Francisco Mint.
Burnished Eagle Coins
Next up, we have the Burnished Eagle coins, and they are the rarest type among the three.
These coins were manufactured to honor the 20th anniversary of the mint and were first released in 2006. However, right after its release, collectors and capitalists from all over the world tried to get their hands on it.
This is one of the key reasons why the mint makes a limited number of Burnished Eagle coins and circulates them rarely. This makes them extremely difficult to acquire and rare to collect.
In terms of appearance, these coins usually come with a burnished finish which is more matte and less shiny. However, some coin collectors believe that the burnishing process makes the coin and the design more durable.
The unique final finish of the Burnished Eagle coin is done by polishing the surfaces and the blank rounds.
Unlike the Bullion Eagle coins, which carry the “S” mintmark, Burnished Eagle coins come with a “W.” This indicates the coin is minted at the West Point Mint.
Proof Eagle Coins
Last but not least, we have the Proof Eagle coins, which are by far the most valuable coins among the three types. Just like the uncirculated Burnished Eagle coins, these coins are also minted for collectors and capitalists.
They are treasured because they use a special type of minting process that uses high-quality dyes and color.
They also have a blinding shine on the background, as they struck behind several types during its manufacturing process. By the end of this process, the coin appears very detailed and distinct.
In addition to this, every Proof Eagle Coin goes through several rounds of inspection. During this time, the coin is checked for dirt and other impurities.
Once a thorough inspection is done, they are placed inside a plastic protective case along with a beautiful satin-lined case. This entire process is complete with its certificate of authenticity.
Yet another reason these coins are more valuable than the rest is that a lot of manual labor and human efforts go into minting Proof Eagle coins.
At rough, Proof Eagles coins are double the cost of uncirculated Burnished Eagle coins. This is because capitals yearn to get their hands on the rarest of the rare American Eagle coins. Moreover, they are also stunning and have a rich look to them.
Why Should You Buy American Silver Eagle Coins?
Whether you are a capitalist or a collector, purchasing American Silver coins can benefit all. Out of the three types, the Bullion Silver Eagle coins are the most popular in the world.
You can quickly liquidate your precious assets and protect them for life by buying a few coins for yourself.
The best ways to buy Silver Eagle coins are:
- Single Silver Eagle Coins
- Silver Eagle Coins that come in rolls of 20
- Mint Sealed Monster Box that holds up to 500 coins
Wrapping Up
American Silver Eagle coins are extremely easy to buy and sell. These coins are more valuable than silver bars, whether it is a coin company, brokerage firm, or precious metal industry.
And don’t worry about the cost! The price of each of these coins is based on the minting process and distribution price. You don’t have to go for the great Burnished Eagle coins or Proof Eagle coins. Start small with the efficient Bullion Eagle Coins.
If you know your hedging game right, you can easily turn your hobby into a wise expenditure!