American Silver Eagles: Worth Every Cent

Throughout the history of the United States Mint, it has produced millions coins of coins released as general currency (think of mostly pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and even half-dollars). Along with the production of these "everyday" type coins, the Mint quietly works on different types of coins; gold, silver and platinum coins that are created purely as investments or for coin collectors with an affinity for American coins that are produced with a purity and design quality that are second to none. Specifically, the coins that tend to be the most popular are the coins produced by the American Silver Eagle Coin Program.

The coin's design stems from the work is based off Adolph Weinman, who's half dollar design from the 1916 edition of the "Walking Liberty." coin still inspires the respect and admiration of coin enthusiasts everywhere.

Beginning production back in 1986, the U.S. Mint began the production of fine silver bullion coins, that would be aimed at collectors as they were subjected to an exhaustive minting procedure, that begins with coin blanks made of fine silver that can only be mined exclusively here in the United States. Produced in 99.9% pure silver American Silver Eagles are the official silver bullion coins of the United States, and as such, are respected worldwide for the guarantee of weight, content and purity all of which are backed by the United States government. You will find that this guarantee goes a long way in insuring that anyone who buys or sells silver eagle coins, is dealing with a silver asset of the highest possible quality.

These coins are currently in high demand as they are a hedge against falling dollar values in tough economic climates. The stability of silver gives American Eagles their true benefit in regards to potential long term gains.

Available in four different denominations,including 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 oz versions, the coins are affordable to most collectors and investors, as the smaller sizes allow for even beginners in the fields of coin collectors and silver bullion investment to begin to slowly add small amounts of physical silver to their portfolios. More advanced investors, or those wishing to add even rarer silver bullion coins to their collections may also focus on the uncirculated or proof editions that are produced in limited amounts by the United States Mint.

American Silver Eagle coins can be wise investments for those investors looking to spread out into a diversified number of assets as part of a balanced portfolio. To collectors however, the coins are worth the cost due to their intricate design and rarity.

2009 American Silver Eagles

The American Silver Eagle is the United States' official silver bullion coin. It has been issued ever since 1986 and withholds a single ounce of silver. Coins are minted to exacting requirements and are verified by the United States government for content, purity and weight. This series has become a favorite of both coin collectors and bullion patrons.

The design of the obverse was derived from the classic "Walking Liberty" project from Adolph A. Weinman, which originally had been utilized for the United States half-dollar coin from the years 1916 to 1947. While this iconic creation has remained a public favorite - and certainly one of the most cherished designs of the contemporary US coinage (silver or otherwise) - it was restored for the Silver Eagle many years later. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle fashioned by John Mercanti.

The United States Mint has offered Silver Eagles in three major versions. The first is the regular remaining bullion derision of the coin, which is found at coin dealers and authorized bullion dealers. The second version being sold straight from the United States Mint is the collectible proof version. The lataest and most recent version is a collectible, uncirculated edition of the coin, additionally recognized as being the Burnished Silver Eagle. These coins are struck on burnished blanks and carry the famous "W" mint mark.

Silver Eagles are shipped by the Mint in packages of up to five hundred. Every box holds twenty-five tubes with twenty Silver Eagles to each tube. A sealed package weight forty-two pounds and is calculated to be around 15"X9"X5".

From the beginning of the series, Silver Eagles got the attention of not just bullion investors but coin collectors, as well. Silver Eagles are often seen as the modern parallel of Silver Dollars since they are struck in silver and hold a $1.00 face value. Coin collectors are able to assemble the Silver Eagle series by acquiring one coin for every date. There are some collectors who amass sets of high-end coins, which are encapsulated and assigned a grade by services like NGC or PCGS.

The design on the obverse was inspired by the classic "Walking Liberty" design from Adolph A. Weinman, which had initially been used for the United States half-dollar coin from the years 1916 to 1947. As this legendary design had endured as a public favorite - and definitely one of the most loved designs of the contemporary US coinage (be it silver or otherwise) - it was restored for the Silver Eagle many years down the road. The reverse displays a symbolic eagle created by John Mercanti.

The most recent US Mint sale figures show that the 2009 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin sales for this week blazed past 12 million and got to 1 million sold throughout the first eleven days during June.

The Mint's authorized dealers bought 377,000 Silver Eagles throughout the first eight days of June, which ended on Monday. By Wednesday, the tally for sales amplified up to more than double the amount of 777,000. Then, the count skyrocketed to 930,000 on Thursday, which brought the year-to-date total to a record-breaking rate of 12,509,500.

The current selling pace will take June above the 1.9 million eagles bought throughout May - a month with elevated numbers but astonishingly ranking second from the lowest for silver bullion coin sales this year. That is how great the year 2009 has proven to be for silver coins.

2008 was a giant year for the series with well over 19 million eagles being bought. Unless a turnaround occurs, 2009 might make last year's record performance pale in comparison to this year's record numbers.