Product Details
 
The 32nd release in the annual American Silver Eagle Program, issued by the U.S. Mint, features one of the most celebrated designs in American numismatic history. Its iconic imagery, paired with .999 fine silver purity, continues to reinforce the Silver Eagle’s enduring bullion appeal.
 
Coin Highlights
 
Contains 1 troy oz of .999 fine silver
 
Multiples of 20 are packaged in mint-issued tubes
 
Individual coins ship in protective packaging
 
Obverse showcases Lady Liberty draped in the American flag, walking toward a rising sun
 
Reverse features a heraldic eagle beneath 13 stars, symbolizing the original colonies
 
Guaranteed and backed by the U.S. Mint
 
Recognized worldwide for its timeless design and intrinsic value, the Silver Eagle blends classic American symbolism with trusted silver content. The 2018 American Silver Eagle remains a cornerstone issue within the series.
 
History of the American Silver Eagle Program
 
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the United States evaluated selling silver bullion to reduce the Defense National Stockpile, citing domestic demand that exceeded strategic requirements. These proposals faced resistance from refiners concerned about impacts on domestic mining and downward pressure on silver prices. During this period, the government released approximately 105 million troy ounces of silver directly into the market rather than as coinage, which contributed to a temporary decline in silver prices.
 
After years of discussion and legislative delay, momentum resumed in 1985. On June 21, 1985, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment authorizing a national silver bullion coin. The legislation was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 9, 1985, establishing the program under the Liberty Coin Act. Although the act became effective on October 1, 1985, production was postponed until the following year. The first American Silver Eagles were officially released on November 24, 1986, launching what would become one of the most successful bullion coin programs in the world.
 
The Design (1986–2021)
 
The obverse features the renowned “Walking Liberty” design, originally created in 1916 by Adolph A. Weinman. The image of Liberty moving confidently forward, draped in the American flag, has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful and symbolic designs in U.S. coinage.
 
The reverse, designed by John Mercanti, presents a heraldic eagle behind a shield, holding an olive branch and arrows—imagery inspired by the Great Seal of the United States. Above the eagle appear thirteen five-pointed stars, representing the original Thirteen Colonies. This classic reverse design was used from the program’s inception through 2021 and remains one of the most recognizable motifs in modern American coinage.