American Silver Eagles

Buy American Silver Eagles Online

The American Silver Eagle is one of the most popular silver coins in the world. Produced by the U.S. Mint, the American Silver Eagle contains 99.9% pure silver and features a set of stunning designs. For decades since its release in 1986, the American Silver Eagle has been a staple for investors all over the world.

Hero Bullion is a leading dealer of American Silver Eagle Coins. Take advantage of industry-leading prices, fast shipping, and free shipping on qualifying orders when you shop American Silver Eagle Coins with Hero Bullion.

About the American Silver Eagle

First released in 1986, the American Silver Eagle is a 99.9% pure silver coin produced by the United States Mint. Its iconic look, high purity, and IRA eligibility have helped make the American Silver Eagle one of the most effective ways to invest in silver bullion.

Millions of American Silver Eagles are produced annually, and the coin is one of the best-selling silver coins in the world. In addition to the standard yearly release, the U.S. Mint also produces various special issues of the American Silver Eagle, including proof, reverse proof, burnished, and privy mark Silver Eagles.

American Silver Eagle Details and Specifications

The American Silver Eagle contains 1 troy ounce of 99.9% fine silver. American Silver Eagles are primarily produced at the West Point facility of the United States Mint, although some special editions have been minted at San Francisco and Philadelphia. The coin’s consistency and intricate designs have helped to make it one of the world’s most famous silver coins.

The obverse of the American Silver Eagle features Adolph A. Weinman’s iconic portrait of Lady Liberty walking. This “Walking Liberty” design first premiered on Weinman’s design for the Walking Liberty half dollar, which was first released in 1916. On the Silver Eagle’s obverse, investors will find Lady Liberty dressed in a flowing gown as she walks toward a rising sun. She carries a bundle of olive branches and is draped in the United States flag.

American Silver Eagles feature one of two possible reverse-side designs. The original design, often called the Type 1 American Silver Eagle, depicts the heraldic eagle of the United States. A new design designated the Type 2 American Silver Eagle premiered in 2021. The Type 2 design of the Silver Eagle features a bald eagle in flight as it carries a bundle of branches.

Silver Eagle History

1986 was the first year of production for the American Silver Eagle. The coin was approved for production under the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. For the American Silver Eagle’s obverse artwork, the U.S. Mint revived the iconic “Walking Liberty” design featured on U.S. half dollars beginning in 1916. The reverse design was penned by John Mercanti, a celebrated artist and the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.

The success of the American Silver Eagle prompted other sovereign mints, including the British Royal Mint and the Canadian Royal Mint, to release their own silver bullion coins for investors. The U.S. Mint prioritized innovation throughout the history of the series, introducing proof, reverse proof, burnished, and privy mark editions for investors to enjoy.

2025 marked a special year in the history of the American Silver Eagle. In 2025, the U.S. Mint released the Star Privy American Silver Eagle, the first bullion Silver Eagle to ever feature a privy mark. The limited edition coin became a hit among collectors, prompting the mint to release another privy ASE with the Eagle Privy American Silver Eagle.

About the U.S. Mint

Since its founding in 1792, the U.S. Mint has been the official mint system of the United States of America. The U.S. Mint is responsible for producing circulating currency for the United States, as well as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion for precious metal investors.

The American Silver Eagle is a flagship product of the United States Mint. For decades, the American Silver Eagle has been among the world’s most popular sovereign silver bullion coins.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle experienced a makeover in 2021. The obverse depiction of Walking Liberty got a very slight upgrade to improve visual quality and include Weinman’s artist mark underneath the U.S. slogan (IN GOD WE TRUST). 

On the reverse, the heraldic eagle design was replaced with artist Emily Damstra’s depiction with a depiction of a bald eagle flying through the air to land on a branch. Damstra’s take on the American Silver Eagle’s reverse, commonly called the “Type 2” design, premiered in 2021 to replace John Mercanti’s heraldic email design.

Special Issue American Silver Eagles

The United States Mint also occasionally produces special issues of the American Silver Eagle. These special editions include proof Silver Eagles, reverse proof Silver Eagles, burnished Silver Eagles, and privy mark silver eagles. 

Special issue American Silver Eagles are often limited in mintage compared to standard bullion releases, and these coins tend to command a larger premium over spot price than the traditional annual release. 

Proof American Silver Eagle Coins

Proof American Silver Eagle Coins are specially minted with a mirror-like, reflective background (field) and a frosted effect on the coin’s designs (relief). These coins are often limited in mintage, especially compared to the standard annual bullion releases.

Investing in proof American Silver Eagles is a great way for investors to diversify their collection of American silver coins. Proof coins often carry an added premium compared to standard strikes, so proof versions of the American Silver Eagle give investors a chance to add a bit more value to their portfolios.

Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle Coins

The U.S. Mint also occasionally produces reverse proof versions of the American Silver Eagle. A reverse proof coin features mirror-like designs (relief) and a frosted effect on the background (field). Reverse proofs are uncommon in the American Silver Eagle series, so they tend to command hefty premiums, especially when traded among collectors.

Buying reverse proof American Silver Eagles is a popular way for investors to inject some rarity into their portfolios, since mintages are far lower for reverse proof Silver Eagles than for the standard bullion release.

Burnished American Silver Eagle Coins

Burnishing is a process used in finishing a coin that gives it a soft, matte-like appearance on both sides. The U.S. Mint has sometimes produced Burnished American Silver Eagle Coins. These specialty Silver Eagles are limited in mintage and can be especially difficult to find. 

Burnished coins look unique and are highly collectible. Burnished American Silver Eagle Coins are extremely limited in mintage and offer investors a unique way to expand their collections with hard-to-find releases from one of the world’s most popular coin series.

Privy Mark American Silver Eagle Coins

The first bullion American Silver Eagle to feature a privy mark was the Star Privy American Silver Eagle, which was first released in 2025. Since then, the U.S. Mint has also produced a limited edition Eagle Privy American Silver Eagle. Both of these coins are unique in the American Silver Eagle series and command an additional premium over melt value to collectors.

Hero Bullion is a leading dealer of privy mark American Silver Eagle Coins. Shop Hero Bullion to take advantage of industry-leading prices, extensive inventories, and free shipping on qualifying orders.

Certified American Silver Eagles

American Silver Eagles are often sold certified and graded by reputable grading companies. Certified American Silver Eagles are highly popular, especially among coin collectors looking for added authentication in their investments. 

Most certified Silver Eagles have been graded and slabbed by respected grading companies like Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). Certified American Silver Eagles may also be packaged in specialty labels commemorating special qualities, such as early release, first day of issue, and unique anniversary releases.

Some certified American Silver Eagles command especially large premiums over spot price, especially coins that are from notable years or given a unique label by PCGS, NGC, or another grading company.

Buying American Eagle Silver Coins

Hero Bullion makes it easy for investors to buy American Silver Coins online. Featuring competitive prices, an extensive inventory of in-stock products, and free shipping on qualifying orders, Hero Bullion is your source for investment-grade silver coins from the United States Mint.

Buy American Silver Eagles in Bulk

American Silver Eagles are also available in bulk. Bulk orders of American Silver Eagles are usually sold in mint-sealed tubes of twenty or monster boxes, which feature 500 1 oz American Silver Eagle Coins. 

Buying American Silver Eagles in bulk is an excellent way for investors to save money on this iconic American silver coin. Most dealers offer lower premiums for bulk orders of American Silver Eagles, including Hero Bullion. These coins also come shipped in U.S. Mint-approved monster boxes or coin tubes, adding another layer of authenticity and assurance to your investment.

Investing in Silver Eagle Coins

Hero Bullion is a qualified online dealer of American Silver Eagle Coins from the United States Mint. Shop mint-sealed tubes of twenty coins, monster boxes of American Silver Eagles, bullion ASEs, and the full range of U.S. American Silver Eagle offerings with Hero Bullion.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Silver Eagles

Are American Silver Eagles a good investment?

American Silver Eagles are among the most popular silver bullion coins in the world, and for good reason. Each coin holds one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, carries a face value backed by the U.S. government, and is recognized by dealers everywhere, which makes it highly liquid when you decide to sell. Like any precious metal, its value moves with the silver spot price, so it works best as a long-term store of value rather than a short-term trade. For investors who want a trusted, easily resold silver coin as the foundation of a stack, the Silver Eagle is a core holding.

How much is a 1 oz American Silver Eagle worth?

A 1 oz American Silver Eagle is worth the current silver spot price plus a premium that covers minting, distribution, and dealer costs. Because it is official U.S. Mint bullion, the Eagle typically carries a modest premium over generic rounds. Prices move in real time, so check the live listings above for today’s cost. Special issues like proof, burnished, and certified Eagles carry higher premiums based on condition and rarity.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Silver Eagles?

The difference is the reverse (tails) design. Type 1 Silver Eagles, struck from 1986 through mid-2021, feature John Mercanti’s heraldic eagle clutching a shield. In mid-2021 the U.S. Mint introduced the Type 2 design, a close-up of an eagle coming in to land, created by Emily Damstra. The obverse, Adolph Weinman’s Walking Liberty, is unchanged on both. Type 1 coins from the final 2021 run are especially sought after by collectors marking the end of the original series.

Are American Silver Eagles worth more than generic silver rounds?

Yes. Both contain one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, but American Silver Eagles command a higher premium because they are official legal-tender coins struck by the U.S. Mint and guaranteed for weight and purity by the U.S. government. That backing and worldwide recognition make Eagles more liquid and easier to resell than generic rounds, which is exactly what the extra premium buys you.

Which year American Silver Eagle is the most valuable?

For most bullion buyers, one year’s coin is worth about the same as any other, since value tracks the silver content. Where prices diverge is among key dates and special issues. The 1986 first-year release, the 1995-W proof (one of the rarest and most valuable Eagles ever made), low-mintage burnished and proof years, and high-grade certified coins can all carry significant premiums above melt. If you are buying purely for silver content, random-year or current-year Eagles give you the most metal for your money.