American Silver Eagle

The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States and was first released in 1986. The coin comes only as one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, although Proof and Burnished versions were made for collectors. Bullion coins do not bear a mint mark like the proof and burnished coins. The obverse side is based on the design of the Walking Liberty half-dollar (1916-1947) by Adolph A. Weinman. The original reverse is of shielded eagle grasping an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left talon similar to the Great Seal of the United States. Thirteen five-pointed stars above the eagle represent the thirteen colonies.