The American Silver Eagle is the most popular silver bullion coin today, for good reason. Given their popularity, it’s not surprising many new collectors are unaware of the coins’ values and have had questions about this topic. Today, we are going to explore the 10 Most Valuable Silver Eagles.
The year 1986 was a great year with lots of memorable events; The “Hands Across America” charity event was held, and Halley’s Comet reached the closest point to the Earth during its second visit to the solar system in the 20th century. It was also a decent year for coin collectors. This is the year that one of the most valuable coin series dropped — the Silver Eagles.
Have you been considering investing in rare silver coins? Well, if you want to know which coins are the most valuable, then you’ll want to read this!
Table of Contents
What Is A Silver Eagle
The American Silver Eagle is a silver bullion coin, issued by the United States Mint from 1986 to the present. 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.
The Silver Eagle was produced in three mints. Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the Silver Eagle’s iconic design had been a public favorite—perhaps the most beloved in the history of U.S. coins.
9 Most Valuable Silver Eagles – Value Sheet & Estimated Price
MS-65: Above average strike with minor marks or hairlines, mostly out of focal areas
MS-69: A fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections
MS-70: The perfect coin, as minted. With no trace of wear or scratches.
No |
Name |
MS-65 |
MS-69 |
MS-70 |
Sold |
1 |
1986 S American Silver Eagle |
$37 |
$125 |
$2000 |
$21,150 |
2 |
1993 P American Silver Eagle |
$111 |
$190 |
$2520 |
$7,637 |
3 |
1994 S American Silver Eagle |
$47 |
$55 |
$1200 |
$11,162.50 |
4 |
1995 W American Silver Eagle |
$3717 |
$4500 |
$19,000 |
$41,125 |
5 |
2008 W American Silver Eagle |
$494 |
$510 |
$1000 |
$2,585.00 |
6 |
2011 S American Silver Eagle: Burnished Uncirculated |
$310 |
$325 |
$350 |
$1,840.00 |
7 |
2006 P American Silver Eagle |
$265 |
$475 |
$1400 |
$1,035.00 |
8 |
2010 W American Silver Eagle |
$71 |
$74 |
$100 |
$763.75 |
9 |
1996 P American Silver Eagle |
$82 |
$110 |
$2100 |
$747.50 |
1. 1986 S American Silver Eagle $21,150
Owing one of these can get you some good fortune in days, weeks, months, or years to come. The 1986 S American silver eagle was among the first silver eagles to be released by the United States Mint.
This rare gem was initially minted at San Francisco. With a mintage of over 5,393,005. It isn’t quite hard to find and own one of these, but you would have to spend $30 or more if you want to add the 1986 S American silver eagle to your collection. According to the USA coin book, the estimated value of this silver eagle is $37 or more in uncirculated mint condition.
1986 $1 Silver Eagle MS70 PCGS Sold On Feb 8, 2013 FOR: $21,150.00
2. 1993 P American Silver Eagle $7,637.50
In 1993, the United States Mint moved production to the Philadelphia Mint. All 1993 P American Silver Eagles were minted in this location. With a total mintage of 403,625, you might not easily come across this rare coin.
Belonging to the proof variety, the 1993 P American Silver Eagle is worth $111 or more. However, the melt value of this coin is $23.85. Having this coin in your collection won’t be a bad idea. This American Silver Eagle would most likely appreciate in price rather than depreciate.
1993 $1 Silver Eagle MS70 NGC SOLD ON JAN 10, 2013 FOR: $7,637.50
3. 1994 S American Silver Eagle $11,162.50
Not a lot of 1994 S American Silver Eagles were minted. The total number of coins was 791,309, which was quite low compared to the number of minted 1986 S coins, thus reducing the chances of easily getting it. The popular 1994 S American Silver Eagle was minted at San Francisco by Designer and engraver Adolph A Weinman and has no mintmark.
The melt value of this coin is slightly higher in cents than other coins listed above. With a melt value of $23.93, the coin won’t be worthless even if you had to melt it down. The estimated worth of the 1994 S American Silver Eagle is about $47 or more, this is its value in uncirculated (MS+) condition.
1994 $1 Silver Eagle MS70 PCGS SOLD ON SEP 8, 2016 FOR: $11,162.50
4. 1995 W American Silver Eagle $41,125
The 1995 W American Silver Eagle was made to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the series. The 1995-W Silver Eagle Proof is one of the holy grails of American coin collecting. Its frosted devices and mirror-like fields make its appearance attractive to the eye — and its rarity makes it even more desirable. Only about 30,125 of these coins were minted back in the day, making it one of the rarest silver eagles of all time.
When the 1995-W Silver Eagle was released, it was intended to be a bonus coin in the 10th Anniversary American Eagle Proof Set with the $5, $10, $25, and $50 Gold Proof Eagles. Back in the day, as long as you indicate on your order form that you want the coin, you will receive it!
Many customers who received the coin at the time now have a collectible worth more than the gold coins in their collection.
1995-W $1 Silver Eagle PR70 Deep Cameo PCGS SOLD ON APR 24, 2014 FOR: $41,125.00
5. 2008 W American Silver Eagle $2,585.00
The 2008-W “Reverse of 2007” Burnished Uncirculated American Silver Eagle is one of the rarest Silver Eagles. This variety of silver eagles is one of the most valuable. Having one of these would fetch you a good amount of money.
You can spot the difference between the Reverse of 2007 vs Reverse of 2008 by looking at the image below. Note the differences between the tildes (a small, unaccented diacritical mark) in the words “silver” and “one” as well as the difference between the “U” in “United”.
It’s also worth noting the general differences in the styling of all letters as well as the spacing between lettering and rim.
2008-W $1 Reverse of 2007 Silver Eagle, First Strike MS70 PCGS. Sold on Jun 7, 2013 for: $2,585.00
6. 2011 S American Silver Eagle: Burnished Uncirculated $1,840.00
The 2011-S Burnished Uncirculated American Silver Eagle was the first silver eagle minted in San Francisco since 1986. This coin was produced as part of a 5-coin set commemorating the 25th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle.
Only 100,000 of these sets were produced and this is also the same number of coins minted at San Francisco at the time. An uncirculated version of this coin is worth $310. The melt value of the 2011-S Burnished Uncirculated American Silver Eagle is $23.67.
2011 SET 25th Anniversary Silver American Eagle Sold on Dec 15, 2011 for: $1,840.00
7. 2006 P American Silver Eagle $1,035.00
The first US coin to be created as a “reverse proof” was the 2006-P “Reverse Proof” American Silver Eagle. This coin was struck as part of a three-coin silver eagle series honoring the 20th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle.
The 3-coin set included a burnished uncirculated eagle—the first time the “W” mintmark appears on a silver eagle—as well as a proof eagle and a reverse proof eagle. This coin also bears the “P” Mintmark. The 2006 P American Silver Eagle is worth $265 or more. It has a melt value of $23.77.
2006-P $1 Reverse Proof Silver Eagle PR70 PCGS. Sold on Nov 7, 2007 for: $1,035.00
8. 2010 W American Silver Eagle $763.75
The U.S. Mint offered the 2010-W Proof Silver Eagles for sale starting November 19, 2010. The Mint’s price at the time of the coins’ release was $45.95 per coin. The mint also placed an ordering limit of 100 coins per household. On that day, the price of silver was about $27.75 per ounce.
According to the USA coin book, The estimated value of the 2010-W Proof Silver Eagle is $72 or more depending on the condition of the coin. It has a melt value of $23.84. An MS69 or MS70 condition of this coin can sell for as much as $100 or more.
(10)2010-W $1 Silver American Eagle, Early Releases PR70 Ultra Cameo NGC. Sold on Jul 14, 2013 for: $763.75
9. 1996 P American Silver Eagle $747.50
Proof coins are considered higher in value than regular strikes. A proof coin usually has a P mintmark, this symbol is clearly noticeable at the back of the coin where you have the eagle. It sits just below the left side of the eagle. The letter P signifies that the coin was minted in Philadelphia.
With a total mintage of 500,000, finding one of these isn’t so hard. There are lots of sellers out there willing to give you the 1996 P American Silver Eagle for $80 or more, depending on the condition of the coin. If you have this coin in MS70 condition, you could sell it for $400 up to $800 and even more if yours has been signed or listed in an auction.
Where is the mint mark on a silver eagle
This depends on the type of silver eagle in your possession. The US Mint-issued uncirculated coins all have a mint mark that shows where they were created. However, bullion versions of silver eagles do not have this mintmark.
The mint mark is clearly visible at the bottom left side just below the eagles’ wings as seen in the image below.
P – Philadelphia
S – San Francisco
W – West Point
What year is the most valuable silver eagle
The most valuable silver eagle is the rare 1995 W American Silver Eagle: 10th Anniversary Proof. This coin was produced and sold only as part of the 10th Anniversary American Eagle Proof Set.
This coin was only available in the Tenth Anniversary American Eagle Proof Set, which also 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 a 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle.
In recent years, the prices of Proof Silver Eagles graded by NGC as PF 70 Ultra Cameos have surged. The most expensive example ever sold was an ultra-rare 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo, which went for $15,000 at auction.
On March 31, 2013, the PCGS PR70DCAM example of the 1995 W American Silver Eagle Proof realized $85,654.70, making it the most expensive American Silver Eagle ever sold at auction.
Final Words
While the most valuable Silver Eagles may not be worth millions of dollars, they are still an excellent investment. One day these coins will be worth more than today. So don’t be in a hurry to sell these coins. Just keep them and wait for the day when their value will rise again. And then you can just enjoy the feeling of realizing that you have made a great investment!
Coins like American Silver Eagles might seem expensive, but they are affordable. This type of coin is a good addition to your collection and a great way to diversify your portfolio. There are very many benefits to investing in these coins such as liquidity, divisibility, and collectability that you may not know yet.
