1986 Silver Eagle
The U.S. Mint launched the American Eagle Coin Program in 1986 with gold and silver bullion coins for investors. The program has since expanded to include platinum and palladium coins. The Mint also makes proof and uncirculated versions of the American Eagle coins for collecting.
The American silver eagle is the most popular silver bullion coin bought, sold, and traded in the United States. This has been the case since this coin was first produced in 1986, with mintage numbers increasing from the inaugural release of these coins. Buy Silver, Gold, and Copper Bullion & Coins Online at MintProducts.com. Coin Dealer since 1999. Competitive pricing & free shipping on orders $99+. Call 866-665-6468!
- Following Congress's approval, the Mint struck Silver Eagles for the first time ever on November 24, 1986. Immediately, the coins proved to be a huge success and the Mint managed to sell over five million coins in the first year of introducing the Silver Eagle Program.
- 1986 - Present (Random year) 1-Ounce American Silver Eagle $1.999 Fine Silver Brilliant Uncirculated US Mint. 4.1 out of 5 stars 11. Get it as soon as Fri, May 15. FREE Shipping by Amazon.
- In 1986, the United States Treasury embarked on a new bullion coin program that would prove to be one of the most popular in the world. The American Eagle program, approved under the Bullion Coin Act of 1985, would join other world mints, including Canada and South Africa, as a producer of fine bullion coins that would be recognized by investors internationally. 1986 American silver eagles.
The obverse of the American Eagle Gold Coins features a version of Liberty first used on the 1907 $20, or “double eagle” coin. The design, by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, shows Liberty facing forward, holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The reverse depicted an eagle grasping an olive branch flying above a nest of eagles. Starting in 2021, the gold coins feature a newly designed portrait of an eagle on the reverse and a refreshed obverse.
The obverse of the American Eagle Silver Coins uses the “Walking Liberty” design by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman from the 1916 half dollar. Liberty walks in profile, draped in the folds of the American flag. Her right arm is extended and she carries laurel and oak branches in her left. The reverse depicted a heraldic eagle with a shield, grasping an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left. Starting in 2021, the coins feature a new reverse showing an eagle carrying an oak branch coming to land and a refreshed obverse.
The Mint first released American Eagle Platinum Coins in 1997. The bullion coin features the Statue of Liberty on the obverse and a soaring eagle on the reverse. The proof coin design changes each year.
The American Eagle Palladium Coins were first released in 2017 as bullion and 2018 as proof. Like the silver coins, the palladium coins re-create historic designs by Adolph Weinman. The obverse features Liberty wearing a cap with wings used on the 1916 Mercury dime. The reverse shows an eagle grasping a branch first used on the 1907 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.
American Eagle Bullion Coins
American Eagle Bullion Coins provide investors with a convenient and cost effective way to add a small amount of physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium to their investment portfolios. The gold bullion coins are available in four sizes: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce. The silver, platinum, and palladium bullion coins are available in the one ounce size.
The U.S. Mint does not sell American Eagle Bullion Coins directly to the public. Learn more about how to buy bullion coins.
Watch the video below to learn about palladium coins.
American Eagle Proof and Uncirculated Coins
The Mint produces American Eagle Coins for collectors with proof and uncirculated finishes. The gold and silver coins are released in both proof and uncirculated finishes each year. The platinum coins are currently made only as proof, while the palladium coins switch finishes each year.
The coins sell at a fixed price and can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint.
American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins
The U.S. Mint produced its first legal tender platinum proof coin in 1997. Its $100 face value is the highest denomination for a U.S. legal tender coin. Produced for collectors, it bears the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint, where it is produced. This precious metal coin has a limited mintage and may be purchased directly from the Mint.
From 1997 to 2017, the American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin shared a common obverse that depicted the Statue of Liberty. The coin’s reverse featured a variety of themed series designs, including:
- Portrait of Liberty (1997)
- Vistas of Liberty (1998 to 2002)
- Foundations of Democracy (2006 to 2008)
- Preamble to the Constitution (2009 to 2014)
- Torches of Liberty (2015 and 2016)
In 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the platinum proof program, the coin bore its original 1997 design. From 2018 to 2020, the Mint issued the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series. The obverse designs featured a different scene with Liberty each year. The common reverse showed an eagle in flight carrying an olive branch.
- 2018 Platinum Proof – Life
- 2019 Platinum Proof – Liberty
- 2020 Platinum Proof – Happiness
First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series
The 2021-2025 “First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series” features newly designed one ounce 99.95 percent platinum proof coins. The obverse designs use the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for our country’s growth as a Nation that values freedom. Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seed – our Bill of Rights. Each of the freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment contributes to the growth and development of the Nation.
This series continues the reverse design introduced for the 2018-2020 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Series. It features an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons.
- 1986 American Silver Eagle
Coin Info
In 1986, the United States Treasury embarked on a new bullion coin program that would prove to be one of the most popular in the world. The American Eagle program, approved under the Bullion Coin Act of 1985, would join other world mints, including Canada and South Africa, as a producer of fine bullion coins that would be recognized by investors internationally. 1986 American silver eagles are coins that contain 1 ounce of .9999 fine silver, and is the only silver coin in the American Eagle series, which also includes gold coins weighing 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce.
While the American Eagle series started out as patently a bullion investor’s coin, the program has caught on with numismatists, too, many of whom collect the coin on an annual basis. Part of the reason the American silver eagle is so popular is that it features the famous Walking Liberty design that first debuted on the half dollar in 1916. The design, a creation of Adolph A. Weinman, helped make the Walking Liberty half dollar (struck from 1916 through 1947) one of the world’s most beautiful coins.
1986 Silver Eagle For Sale
For most years of the American silver eagle program, both uncirculated and proof versions have been struck. In 1986, 5,393,005 uncirculated American silver eagles were produced at the Philadelphia mint while 1,446,778 were made at the San Francisco mint. The first American silver eagles were released to the public on November 24, 1986.
1986 Silver Eagle Proof
Other Years From This Coin Series
