PCGS Proof Silver American Eagles

PCGS Certified Proof American Silver Eagles

Silver Eagles are some of the most popular types of bullion coins. As a collector, they will be the pride of your collection. It can be important to make sure that the coins you purchase are of the best quality and have been verified by the Professional Coin Grading System (PCGS).

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a grading service for rare coins that evaluates the authentication of the coins and precious metals. It was started in 1985 after the rise in popularity towards buying and selling precious metal coins. It was founded by seven coin dealers who wanted to standardize the measure of coin grading. To date, it has become the leading grading company in America and has spread to Europe and Asia. It is expanding every day as the change in economy around the world takes on different shapes.

The Majestic Eagle Coins

The United States released its official silver bullion coin for the first time in 1986 on November 24th. The American Silver Eagle was released by the United States Mint and has already lived an exciting life. It’s been produced through three different branches of the mint. The first was the San Francisco Mint, the second was the Philadelphia Mint, and the last and current producer is at the West Point Mint.

This American Silver Eagle bullion coin has risen in popularity, becoming a valuable asset to all who own them. This is because the bullion coins are guaranteed to contain at least one troy ounce of 99.9 percent pure silver. Several collectors have chosen to use them to fund different accounts and investments, even Individual Retirement Account (IRA) investments.

Minting Through the Years

Surprisingly, the Bullion Silver Eagle coins don’t all have the same mintmarks even though they have been continually minted since 1986. The first place they were minted was San Fransisco from 1986 through 1998. Next, they were only minted for two years from 1999 to 2000 at Philadelphia and then West Point. As of 2001, they are primarily minted at West Point and San Francisco helps in production.

The mintmarks on the Silver Eagle coins vary as much as the areas they were produced. They were first minted with an “S” mark from 1986 to 1992. Beginning in 1993 through 2000, they bore a Philadelphia mintmark of the letter “P” and then from 2001 to 2008, they were marked with a “W” for their West Point production. In 2009, no proof versions were produced likely because of the economic downturn in America when investors were buying and selling with what had already been minted. It wasn’t until 2010 that the proof coins went back to having mintmarks.

There are different variations of the proofs of each coin. They bear resemblance to different times in the history of the coin. Some of the notable ones are:

• Reverse proofs: In 2006, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle program, there was a special Reverse Proof Silver Eagle coin minted in Philadelphia. This coin was made available in a three-coin set. It sat between a regular proof coin and a special Burnished Uncirculated coin. It features a frosted background and mirrored surfaces that are raised in opposite spots than the others in the series.

• Philadelphia Set: Produced in 1993, this coin was created to commemorate the bicentennial of the first official United States coins at the Philadelphia Mint in 1793. The set included the coins in various sizes, a proof Silver Eagle coin, and a 90 percent silver proof “U.S. Mint Bicentennial” medal.

• 25th Anniversary: In 2011, the Mint issued a set to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary. It is a set of five coins in a lacquered presentation case. There is one bullion coin, a proof coin minted from West Point with a “w” mintmark, one uncirculated coin each minted at West Point and San Francisco, and most notably a reverse proof coin. The reverse proof coin is made with a frosted background and mirror-like design of the foreground.

How the PCGS Grades Proof Silver Eagles

The PCGS grades each coin with five main components. The most collectible grades are the ASE that have been graded by the PCGS. These important factors affect the value and authenticity of each coin:

• Strike
• Surface preservation
• Luster
• Coloration
• Eye appeal

Each silver coin you purchase should be presented in PCGS packaging with the certified slab that has the serial number and a mintmark that lines up correctly with the year it was created. Always factor in these details when purchasing a Proof Silver Eagle coin to verify its authenticity.

The Silver Eagles are a great find and a worthy investment if you want to retain a material asset. Available in various proofs and commemorative styles, PCGS Certified Proof Silver Eagle coins are perfect for every coin collector. Consider the purchase today for an investment that will last a lifetime.