Issued by the United States mint, Silver Eagles are silver bullion coins. Although they are rarely used as such, they are indeed legal US tender and they have a face value of one dollar (US). They are the only silver bullion coins minted in the world that come with a guarantee as to their weight and purity from the US government. They are also known as American Eagle bullion coins. These coins were first minted in 1986 after they were authorized by the Liberty Coin Act in 1985. Because they are official issue bullion coins, they are minted to very exacting standards of purity and weight. Each contains exactly one troy ounce of silver. They are 99.9% pure. This standard guarantees that these coins are very highly regarded as investments. They are the only type of investment coins permitted to be included as part of an individual retirement account also known as an IRA portfolio. Most investors do not usually value bullion coins as collectibles. Instead they seem as merely investments. Silver Eagles, however, are the exception to this rule because certain varieties of Silver Eagles have numismatic value because of their limited mint production.
The US Mint issues Silver Eagles every year. They are issued in several grades which include bullion, proof and uncirculated. Bullion coins have been released every year and are issued at basic grade which is intended for investors. Proof coins are a higher quality with regard to finish are mostly for collectors.
These coins were based on a design by Adolph Weinman. They feature a traditional American bald eagle on one side which is grasping a shield, arrows and stars in its talons. Many investors consider the Silver Eagles to be one of the most beautiful coins ever issued by the US mint.
Silver Eagles are easy to buy and can be bought from coin dealers and collectible dealers. You can also find dealers selling Silver Eagles online. It is not possible to purchase bullion grade Silver Eagles from the US mint. These coins are only distributed to a group of dealers and retailers who then sell them to the general public. Collectors, however, are able to order proof and uncirculated coins directly from the US mint.
If you decide to purchase Silver Eagle bullion coins from an online dealer be sure to verify his authenticity. Ask to see if he is a member of the American Numismatic Association which is a group of numismatists from all across the United States. They form a wide-ranging network and help each other in acquiring rare coins for clients that they may not have in their inventory. Dealing only with a member of the American Numismatic Association will ensure that you are dealing with a reputable coin collector. They have a presence on the Internet with a members’ directory so you can verify whether someone is actually a member or not. When buying Silver Eagles it is always best to conduct careful investigation into who you are doing business with to make sure that you are buying authentic coins.
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