Silver Eagles

The American Eagle was first struck in 1986, when the American Eagle program began. The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's beloved Walking Liberty design, displaying a flag-draped Lady Liberty walking with an outstretched, welcoming right arm and a left hand holding olive branches. In the background is the sun and its rays. The design was first used on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which was minted between 1916 and 1947. The reverse features a Heraldic Eagle designed by John Mercanti.

All American Silver Eagles are made of 1 Troy oz. .999 fine silver and bear a denomination of $1. The coin is struck annually in both mint state (uncirculated) and proof finishes. All mint state pieces, except the special burnished issues (which bear the W mintmark for West Point), are struck without mintmarks. Proof issues have historically been struck at different mints and bear the mintmark for the Mint at which they were struck:

1986-1992: San Francisco (S)
1993-2000: Philadelphia (P)*
2001-present: West Point (W)
*In 1995, a small mintage of proofs was struck at West Point for inclusion in a 5-coin proof set which also contained each denomination of proof American Gold Eagle.

The American Silver Eagle has the following specifications:

Diameter	Thickness	Weight	Edge
40.6mm (1.598in.)	2.98mm (0.117in.)	1.19mm 1 Troy ounce 31.103g	reeded - 201 reeds

Silver eagles are manufactured as both business strikes (mint state) and proofs.