The seventh issue from the annual American Silver Eagle program by the U.S. Mint displays one of the most popular and beloved designs in American coinage. The iconic design and .999 fine Silver content further adds to its bullion appeal.
Coin Highlights:
Contains 1 oz of fine silver.
Worldwide mintage of 5,540,068 coins.
Obverse: Adolph A. Weinman’s design showing Lady Liberty draped in an American flag, walking gracefully as the sun rises over a ridge.
Reverse: A heraldic eagle is shown below 13 small stars, representing the original colonies.
Guaranteed and backed by the U.S. Mint.
One of the most popular designs in American coinage, the Silver Eagle combines beauty with silver bullion appeal. Add the 1992 Silver Eagle to your cart today!
History of the American Silver Eagle Program
The U.S. Mint attempted to establish selling Silver bullion in the 1970s and early 1980s to help reduce the Defense National Stockpile. The reasoning was that domestic needs exceeded that of strategic needs. Many refiners had actually opposed the plan due to concerns of diminishing the need of in-state mining and possible reduction of Silver spot at the time. Throughout the back-and-forth, the United States did end up selling off large amounts of Silver (roughly 105 million troy ounces) but not as coin, as they had originally intended. When this happened, it did in fact cause the price of Silver to drop immediately. Many traders started unloading futures with the anticipation that price would fall, which it did. Over a span of several years and suspensions, it wasn’t until June 21, 1985, that the Senate finally agreed to an amendment by a voice vote. The amended bill was signed by President Ronald Reagan on July 9, 1985. The bill, know as the “Liberty Coin Act” authorized the law of the American Silver Eagle program with an effective date of October 1, 1985, but came with stipulations that no coins may be struck or sold until September 1, 1986. Finally, after all of this, the first American Silver Eagle was released on November 24, 1986, and has gone on to become one of the most beloved, best-selling coins in the world.
The Design (1986 to 2021)
The obverse (front) of the coin was taken from the “Walking Liberty,” originally designed by Adolph A. Weinman in 1916. The iconic design had already been a public favorite and one of the most beloved of any United States coinage of modern times, which made it an instant favorite among collectors and enthusiasts once released. The reverse (back) was designed by John Mercanti and portrayed a heraldic eagle behind a shield. The eagle holds a banner in its beak while grasping an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, an image that echoes the Great Seal of the United States. Above the eagle and below the legend are 13 five-pointed stars representing the original 13 colonies.
The Design (1986 to 2021)
The obverse (front) of the coin was taken from the “Walking Liberty”, originally designed by Adolph A. Weinman, in 1916. The iconic design had already been a public favorite and one of the most beloved of any United States coinage of modern times which made it an instant favorite among collectors and enthusiasts once released. The reverse (back) was designed by John Mercanti that portrayed a heraldic eagle behind a shield the eagle holds a banner in its beak while grasping an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, that echoes the Great Seal of the United States. Above the eagle and below the legend is thirteen five-pointed stars representing the original Thirteen Colonies.
If you are torn between silver bars and Silver American Eagles, Silver Eagles have advantages over silver bars like liquidity and recognizability.