The Gold n Pawn

Coin Uncirculated

Why bother with American Eagle Silver Coins? They are not that old — they were only minted starting in 1987. So what is it that makes them valuable?

Before we go too much further, however, we need to make a distinction in valuation between what is important to a numismatist or coin collector from that which is regarded by a commodity investor. The numismatist would undoubtedly be more interested in the historical significance of a coin, when and how it was created and for what purpose or in whose honor (the story). He or she would be particularly keen on the rarity of the coin. On the other hand, the commodity investor would be more intent on turning a profit from a change in value of the coin(s) from strictly a ‘bullion’ or ‘rare metal’ viewpoint. In the latter case, condition is important, but less so.

Let us first look at things from the perspective of a Numismatist.

Age

Any numismatist will tell you that age is not necessarily the deciding factor in determining the value of a coin. In fact, it can be a detriment if the coin has not been taken care of properly and it has ended up being defaced, scratched, or chemically eroded in some manner. In any case, we do not have age on our side as a value determinant for the American Silver Eagle.

Condition

How about condition? Whatever the age, the condition is indeed important. The closer to mint condition the better. I guess that makes the younger American Eagles more likely to be in better condition and thus more valuable than other older coins in not so good condition.

Coins are often minted for different purposes — Circulated, Uncirculated, Proof, etc. Those that are not in circulation stand to be much more pristine or close to mint condition than others. This especially holds true for American Silver Eagle coins which are not in circulation at all.

Rarity

A coin is not necessarily rare because it is old. Its rarity depends more on how many are still ‘available’ after mint production has ceased. By extension, its value is related to its rarity (and on its condition, of course) and on the market demand for the particular coin. Sometimes though, the popularity of a coin brings a higher price than its rarity.

Rarity is not only a reflection of availability, but is sometimes determined by a quirk in the production process. An error in minting for some part of the total production makes for a remarkably higher value — like a defective or worn die or a change in font from one die lot to another.

This is where the greatest measure of numismatic value lies for the American Eagle Silver coin.

The rarest and most valuable would be the ‘1995-W Proof Silver Eagle’ (West Point Mint), part of the ‘10th Anniversary American Eagle Five Coin Set’ — only 32,125 sets were minted. The American Silver Eagle dollar coin in this set is valued at over $4,000.00 today.

Following that is the exceptional ‘2008 Burnished Uncirculated American Silver Eagle’, minted erroneously in a small quantity with the 2007 Reverse die — changing the font of the ‘U’ in ‘United States of America’ to the sans serif font in the older die from what should have been the new serif font in the 2008 Reverse die. Public awareness of this error and its limited mintage has increased its value considerably.

The ‘20th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle program’ produced a limited mintage 2006 Commemorative Set of 3 coins — regular Proof, Reverse Proof Silver Eagle and Burnished Uncirculated, which are sought after for their collector’s rare value.

Finally, to further make this point about numismatic value based on rarity, American Silver Eagle coins produced in low mintage years (1994, 1993, 1996 and 1995 in that order) are not only still affordable, but very much in demand by collectors.

American Silver Eagles are not minted for circulation, but more for their bullion value in the form of Proofs for collectors and predominately as Proofs and Burnished Uncirculated coins for investors. We have seen above that the value of these coins for collectors lies in their rarity due to limited mintage, mintage errors and low mintage commemorative issues. Now let us briefly address their value for commodity investors.

American Silver Eagle bullion coins are distinguished from other silver bullion by their certification and guarantee by the United States government to contain one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. This certainly enhances their secure value for investment purposes.

As an investor’s rather than a collector’s coin, the American Silver Eagle’s value is driven by a bullish physical precious metal retail demand in the market place. This is particularly true today with the US Mint’s overcoming past difficulties with production bottlenecks and putting a highly sustained supply of American Silver Eagle coins into the strong American retail investment market.

So there you have it. The not so old American Silver Eagle is worth the bother after all, to both collectors and investors.

If you are interested in collecting or investing in the American Silver Eagle or just want to become more enlightened, drop by my blog at: AmericanSilverEagleCoins.org

I am very busy there building up a repository of interesting articles and references to guide you along. Enjoy the tour!

Tim MacKenzie is a Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada. He spent many years in scientific research and building information systems. His focus now is on Internet communications.

The Mint’s “Moments” Special Edition Uncirculated Coin Set

100 Gem BU 1oz GOLD CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF Brilliant Uncirculated bullion coins $173,599.00

.9999 Pure Solid Silver 1000 Troy Ounces Canada Maple Leaf $5 Coins Uncirculated $53,999.99

20 1oz GOLD U.S. BUFFALO sealed Gem Uncirculated coins 2011 Original Mint Sheet $35,499.00

20 1 oz ounce $50 GOLD AMERICAN EAGLES Brilliant Uncirculated gem bullion coins $35,299.00

500 KILOS 100% UNCIRCULATED WORLD COINS , 80+ COUNTRIES, AWESOME MIXTURE $24,750.00

Lot of 100 1999 BU $5 US GOLD EAGLES 1/10 oz Gem Uncirculated bullion coins $20,149.00

10 SEALED GEM UNCIRCULATED 2008 1oz GOLD U.S. BUFFALO COINS ORIGINAL MINT SHEET $17,949.00

10 Gold 1 oz. 2012 American Eagle Uncirculated Coins One Troy Ounce bullion $17,316.00

10 1 oz Gold KRUGERRAND South Africa Gem BU Brilliant Uncirculated bullion coins $17,299.00

Roll of 50 1999 BU $5 US GOLD EAGLES 1/10 oz Gem Uncirculated bullion coins $10,079.00

1855-C $1 TYPE-2 Gold BU Charlotte MS Uncirculated Dollar *VERY RARE* US coin $9,750.00

1913-S Indian Gold Half Eagle – ICG MS63 – RARE BU Uncirculated Coin! $9,635.00

50 – Gold 1/10 oz 2012 American Eagle Uncirculated Coins One tenth Ounce bullion $9,335.00

5 GEM UNCIRCULATED 1oz .9999 GOLD U.S. BUFFALO COIN $8,999.00

5 Gold 1 oz. 2012 American Eagle Uncirculated Coins One Troy Ounce bullion $8,705.00

1807 Capped Bust $5 Gold Coin. Almost Uncirculated AU $8,500.00

100 KILOS 100% UNCIRCULATED WORLD COINS , 80+ COUNTRIES, AWESOME MIXTURE $5,280.00

3 Gold 1 oz. 2012 American Eagle Uncirculated Coins One Troy Ounce bullion $5,255.00

1821-1947 PCGS MS67 50 PESO UNCIRCULATED MEXICO GOLD COIN 1.205 OZ BU CENTENARIO $4,695.00

ORIGINAL LOT OF 100 BU 1924 PEACE SILVER $1 DOLLAR COINS BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $4,329.00

Original lot of 100 BU 1925 PEACE SILVER DOLLARS Brilliant Uncirculated $1 coins $4,329.00

LOT OF 100 BU 1921 MORGAN SILVER $1 DOLLAR COINS BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $4,299.00

Original Lot of 100 1923 BU PEACE SILVER DOLLARS Brilliant Uncirculated $1 coins $4,279.00

Original Lot of 100 BU 1922 PEACE SILVER DOLLARS Brilliant Uncirculated $1 coins $4,279.00

1821-1943 PCGS MS66 50 PESO UNCIRCULATED MEXICO GOLD COIN 1.205 OZ BU CENTENARIO $4,150.00

1853-D $1 Gold BU Dahlonega MS Uncirculated Dollar RARE US coin $3,999.99

100 AU MORGAN DOLLARS dated btwn 1878-1904 Almost Uncirculated $1 silver coins $3,999.00

2007 1.85 Troy Oz American Gold Eagle Uncirculated 4-Coin Set MS70 Early Release $3,799.99

100 BU AMERICAN $1 EAGLES SILVER COINS BULLION BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $3,569.00

RRR German silver 5 mark 1963, ERROR coin,off-centre,UNCIRCULATED ! $3,500.00

Negotiable Price UNC 1877 S TRADE DOLLAR SILVER COIN US MS +++ $1 UNCIRCULATED $3,500.00

FIVE (5) 2011 Army $5 Gold Uncirculated Commemorative Coin SEALED “Low Mintage” $3,459.99

1850 C $1.00 LIBERTY U.S. GOLD COIN UNCIRCULATED DETAIL $3,450.00

AMERICAN EAGLE (2) 1oz GOLD COINS BU UNCIRCULATED $3,400.00

MAGNIFICENT 4P PAHLAVI UNCIRCULATED 22K GOLD MOHAMMAD REZA SHAH PAHLAVI COINS $3,400.00

2000 American Eagle * GOLD *$50 + $25 +$10 + $5 * (4 COINS SET) UNCIRCULATED $3,399.00

2000 American Eagle * GOLD *$50 + $25 +$10 + $5 * (4 COINS SET) UNCIRCULATED $3,199.00

1997 W $5 Jackie Robinson Gold Coin Uncirculated RARE MINTAGE $3,195.00

108 Silver Eagles Four 27-coin Sets: 1986 through 2012 ~ Gem Uncirculated ~ $3,181.31

2011 W 1 OZ $50 GOLD AMERICAN EAGLE PCGS MS70 BURNISHED UNCIRCULATED COIN OGP $3,050.00

1846-D $5 Gold AU+ Dahlonega Almost Uncirculated Five Dollars RARE US coin $2,999.99

*RARE* 1855-S AU Gold $3 Princess US Coin Almost Uncirculated $2,999.99

2011-W $50 AMERICAN GOLD EAGLE UNCIRCULATED 1oz.COIN 25TH ANNIVERSARY MS70,MS70 $2,995.95

MACAU 1952 50 AVOS, CHOICE TO GEM UNCIRCULATED COINS, FANTASTIC LOT OF 1,000 $2,995.00

MACAU 1952 50 AVOS COINS, CHOICE TO GEM UNCIRCULATED, GROUP LOT OF 1,000 $2,995.00

1921-P PEACE DOLLAR ALMOST UNCIRCULATED TWENTY COINS – ONE YEAR TYPE HIGH RELIEF $2,975.00

1888 Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,965.00

1876-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,965.00

1935 Florin. Choice uncirculated PCGS MS63 – A top coin for your PCGS set $2,909.88

★ 1933 China Dollar Y-345 – ICG MS63 – RARE BU Uncirculated Coin! ★ $2,935.00

200 LBS BU UNCIRCULATED WORLD WIDE FOREIGN COINS! $2,929.50

RRR Imperial Russian 5 Gold Rouble coin 1864 UNCIRCULATED! Key year! $2,900.00

1875-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,835.00

1890 Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,835.00

50 KILOS 100% UNCIRCULATED WORLD COINS , 80+ COUNTRIES, AWESOME MIXTURE $2,805.00

1875-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,745.00

2008 W Olympic Double Prosperity 1/2 Oz Uncirculated Gold Coin Set Buffalo Eagle $2,698.20

2008 W $10 GOLD JACKSON LIBERTY & VAN BUREN UNCIRCULATED FIRST SPOUSE COINS RARE $2,679.00

1817/3 Bust Half Dollar 50C – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,635.00

1904-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,635.00

2008 W $10 GOLD JACKSON LIBERTY & VAN BUREN UNCIRCULATED FIRST SPOUSE COINS RARE $2,539.00

Jefferson Liberty 2007 First Spouse Gold $10 Proof Coin & $10 Uncirculated Set $2,500.00

2008 W ~ $50 American Gold Eagle Gem Brilliant Uncirculated Coin KEY DATE $2,499.99

1873 Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,485.00

1910 Indian Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50 – NGC MS64 – RARE Uncirculated Coin! $2,485.00

1879-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,465.00

★ 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent GEM BU RED – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $2,465.00

1327 GOLD 500 KURUSH TURKEY, SCARCE, HUGE COIN, UNCIRCULATED $2,450.00

1908-D Indian Gold Eagle $10 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,435.00

1886 Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – ICG MS63 – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,435.00

1884-S Morgan Silver Dollar CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,435.00

1891-CC Liberty Gold Eagle $10 GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,365.00

1896-O Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS MS62 – Rare Uncirculated Key Date Coin! $2,365.00

1894 Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – PCGS MS64 – RARE Gem Uncirculated Coin! $2,345.00

1327 GOLD 500 KURUSH TURKEY, SCARCE, HUGE COIN, UNCIRCULATED $2,330.00

Lot of 6 AU 1855-69 FRENCH NAPOLEON 20 Franc .900 gold coins Almost Uncirculated $2,329.00

1955 Doubled Die Obverse DDO Lincoln Cent GEM BU RB – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin $2,325.00

1888-O Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,325.00

1955 Doubled Die Obverse DDO Lincoln Cent GEM BU RED – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin $2,325.00

MAGNIFICENT 3P PAHLAVI’S 1958 22K GOLD UNCIRCULATED M.R.PAHLAVI COINS $2,300.00

1851-C $1 Gold Charlotte BU MS Uncirculated Dollar RARE US coin $2,299.99

PCGS Uncirculated Detail 1902-S Barber Half Dollar Very Rare Coin in grade. $2,295.00

2 MARGARET TAYLOR UNCIRCULATED FIRST SPOUSE GOLD UNOPENED FROM MINT, 2 COINS $2,250.00

1891-CC Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,235.00

1834 Classic Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,235.00

100 Different Banknotes From 100 Different Countries $145.00 100 Different Banknotes From 100 Different Countries…

2004 24K Gold Plated Hologram State Quarters $17.50 The new State Quarters are America’s most popular coins – but few people will ever have the chance to own the fabulous set of coins that are gold plated and enhanced with genuine holograms….

12 WE BUY COINS VERTICAL DECAL sticker silver gold sell rare cash bullion diamonds $9.99 This 4.5″ x 12″ decal is printed on premium grade exterior vinyl perfect for outdoor use for 5+ years or will look great inside. All decals are supplied with application film for easy installation. These will stick to any smooth surface – aluminum, glass, stainless steel, wood or plexiglas. All sizes are approx. You can’t go wrong with a SignMission decal!…

24 WE BUY COINS VERTICAL DECAL sticker silver gold sell rare cash bullion diamonds $14.99 This 9″ x 24″ decal is printed on premium grade exterior vinyl perfect for outdoor use for 5+ years or will look great inside. All decals are supplied with application film for easy installation. These will stick to any smooth surface – aluminum, glass, stainless steel, wood or plexiglas. All sizes are approx. You can’t go wrong with a SignMission decal!…

N.C.I. Grading Guide: A Step-by-step approach to the grading of uncirculated and proof coins $49.99 The classic, watershed text on grading mint state and proof United States coins by the numismatist widely considered the most astute rare coin grader and trader in numismatics….

The PCGS Population Report: A census of more than 17,000,000 coins graded by PCGS, featuring circulated and uncirculated United States Coins. … Modern, Pattern and Colonial Coins. $65.00 A census of more than 17,000,000 coins graded by PCGS, featuring circulated and uncirculated United States Coins. Includes U.S. Regular Issue, Modern, Pattern, Territorial and Colonial Coins….

James A Garfield Presidential Golden $ Dollar Uncirculated Coin 2011 P Mint $0.99 …

World Coin Grab Bag – 50 Assorted Coins $3.01 Great collection of FIFTY coins from across the world, hand-selected for nicer conditions and diverse variety. A nice starter set for collecting world coins, yourself – or an awesome gift idea for anyone on your shopping list! Comes in a velveteen gift pouch….

2010 D Mint Sacagawea Native American Golden Dollar Uncirculated Coin $0.01 New, Uncirculated 2010 D Sacagawea Native American Dollar Coin. You will receive one uncirculated dollar from Denver Mint. This coin is brilliant and uncirculated. It is mounted in a 2X2 cardboard mylar holder. Not proof coin. Uncirculated coins may vary to some degree because of blemishes, toning or slight imperfections.Bonus: If you make more than one purchase in the same order you will receive …

1999-2008 P Complete UNC State Quarter 50-Coin Set $25.00 This is a full set of all 50 uncirculated state quarters. Each of these quarters are from the Philadelphia Mint. This set of coins will be shipped to you in sealed quarter tubes. No more searching around, trying to piece together a complete set. In this one deal you get them all….

2009 D Mint DC & US Territories Quarters Set of 6 Coins Mint PR, Guam, Virgin Islands, Samoa, Nothern Mariana $3.37 This set has 6 coins: Washington DC Puerto Rico Guam American Samoa Virgin Islands Northern Mariana Islands…

US American Gold Eagle Uncirculated Quarter Ounce 2012 $547.97 The 2012 Gold American Eagle is a beautifully minted gold coin produced here in the United States. The coin is guaranteed by the U.S. government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. By law, the gold must come from sources in America, alloyed with silver and copper to produce a more wear-resistant coin. The specific alloy is also referred to as crown gold. The actual g…

2009 – D MINT JOHN TYLER PRESIDENTIAL DOLLAR COIN UNC!! $0.01 D Mint, Unc condition. One coin for each lot….