American Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States.
United States | |
| Value | 1.00 U.S. dollar (face value) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 31.103 g (1.00 troy oz) |
| Diameter | 40.6 mm (1.598 in) |
| Thickness | 2.98 mm (0.1173 in) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition | 99.9% Ag |
| Years of minting | 1986–present (bullion) 1986–2008, 2010–present (proof) 2006–2008, 2011–present (uncirculated) |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Walking Liberty |
| Designer | Adolph A. Weinman |
| Design date | 1916 |
| Design used | 1986–present |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Bald eagle landing on a branch (Type 2) |
| Designer | Emily Damstra |
| Design date | 2021 |
| Design used | 2021–present |
| Design | Heraldic eagle with shield and thirteen five-pointed stars (Type 1) |
| Designer | John Mercanti |
| Design date | 1986 |
| Design used | 1986–2021 |
It was first released by the United States Mint on November 24, 1986. It is struck only in the one-troy ounce, which has a nominal face value of one dollar and is guaranteed to contain one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. It is authorized by Title II of Public Law 99-61 (Liberty Coin Act, approved July 9, 1985) and codified as 31 U.S.C. § 5112(e)-(h). Its content, weight, and purity are certified by the United States Mint. In addition to the bullion version, the United States Mint has produced a proof version and an uncirculated version for coin collectors. The Silver Eagle has been produced at three mints: the Philadelphia Mint, the San Francisco Mint, and the West Point Mint. The American Silver Eagle bullion coin may be used to fund Individual Retirement Account investments.