Certified Proof Silver Eagles

Certified Proof Silver Eagles at BGASC

American Silver Eagles are among the most popular silver coins in the world.  These coins have been released annually since their inception back in 1986. The standard 1 oz BU coin was issued along with a 1 oz proof strike. For fans of these proof strikes, one way you can purchase them is to buy them in certified condition. A certified coin is graded and encapsulated by a professional coin grader. Learn more about these certified proof silver eagles, right here at BGASC.

Series Background

Proof American Silver Eagles debuted in 1986 in just a 1 oz size. These coins have been issued annually since they debuted, except for 2009 due to economic uncertainty. Each coin has a purity of .999 pure silver and a face value of $1 (USD).

The design from 1986 to the first half of 2021 featured Walking Liberty on the obverse, designed by Adolph A. Weinman. The reverse showcased John Mercanti’s heraldic eagle. The eagle has a shield on its chest with 13 five-point stars above its head.

In the second half of 2021, the reverse was updated to now feature a flying eagle design by Emily Damstra. Coins issued in 2021 are designated either as Type 1 or Type 2 coins, with Type 1 showing Mercanti’s eagle and Type 2 coins having Damstra’s eagle.

What is a Proof Strike?

A proof strike is a coin that is more of a collectible than a standard BU strike. While BU coins are struck once, proof coins are struck twice. This gives proof coins more frosted design elements and a mirrored background field relative to their BU counterparts.

Proof strikes typically have much lower mintage totals than BU coins as well. Mintages for these proof silver eagles are around 5-20% of the BU strikes for a given year.

Proof Grading Terminology

Certified coins are ones that are graded by a professional service such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). These coins are graded on the Sheldon Scale of 1 to 70 and then encapsulated to preserve their graded condition.

However, the PCGS and the NGC each use unique grading terms to further define these coins.

• PR/ PF: Proof – prefaces the numerical grade, and identifies the coin as a proof strike.
• ER/ FS: Early Release/ First Strike – Identifies a coin that is received for grading within 30 days of the coin being issued.
• FDOI: First Day of Issue – Identifies a coin that is received for grading within 24 hours of the coin being issued.
• UCAM/ DCAM – Ultra Cameo/ Deep Cameo – A designation for proof coins, used to show the coin’s frosted elements and a mirrored background.

Ordering Certified Proof Silver Eagles at BGASC

Questions about certified proof silver eagles? Contact the BGASC team today. We can be easily reached via email, through our online chat feature, or by calling us at 888-992-4272.