The United States quit producing silver dollars back in 1935. But in 1986, the U.S. Mint introduced American Silver Eagle coins, which are the only official silver bullion coins produced by the United States. They are minted in West Point, New York, and bear the “W” mint mark.

You’ve probably heard of silver bullion but may not be exactly sure what it means. In a nutshell, bullion is valued for its mass and purity rather than for its face value as a coin. Silver bullion coins are never intended to be used as currency. And their face value is significantly less than the value of the silver they contain.

American Silver Eagle Reverse side

Both bullion and proof finishes of American Silver Eagles are produced. But since 2009, demand for the American Eagle silver bullion coins has been so great that all the available silver blanks have been used to produce silver bullion coins.

Because the cost of bullion coins is keyed to the market silver price — also called the spot silver price, they are available from authorized bullion and coin dealers. When they are available, proof versions of the coin are sold by the U.S. Mint. until the next year’s Silver Eagles are issued or until they are sold out.

Each bullion Silver Eagle is 99.9% silver and weighs 31.103 grams. The U.S. government guarantees their weight, composition, and purity. Interestingly, they are the only silver coins that can be used to fund an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

The obverse features Adolphe A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty, which was first used on the 1916 half dollar. She strides confidently wrapped in Old Glory with branches of laurel and olive in her left hand.

The reverse, which was designed by John Mercanti, show an eagle with arrows in his left talons, and an olive branch is his right.

In 2006, the U.S. Mint introduced a platinum American Eagle.

American Silver Eagle Reverse side

To make the proof coins, specially burnished silver coin blanks are manually fed into a coin press that’s fitted with special dies. The coins are struck several times, resulting in a frosted image that seems to float above the highly polished background.

Inspectors wearing white gloves check the coins and then place them in a protective plastic case. The coins are sold with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Like all silver bullion coins, American Eagles are popular with investors because they are an affordable way to add precious metals to your portfolio. They are the only investment-grade U.S. silver coins. And today, they are also the world’s most best-selling silver coins, with more than 130 million sold.

Investors are attracted to precious metals because as a rule, they move independently of stocks and bonds. They are portable, extremely liquid — most coin dealer will be cash for them — and easy to store and care for.

Although the coins are mostly of value due to the silver they contain, three Silver American Eagles are more valuable because fewer were produced. The 1995-W Proof Silver Eagle was part of the Gold Eagle Proof Set with a mintage of just 30,125. The 2006-W Reverse Proof was part of a mintage of 250,000 sets. And the 2008-W Silver Eagle was struck with the 2007 reverse die.

If you’re interested in collecting silver dollars, consider investing in some silver bullion American Eagle coins. You can get started for a modest price, and the coins are beautiful.

Read more about collecting coins here.

Images: U.S. Mint

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Since 1982, the U.S. Mint has issued commemorative coins celebrating noteworthy people and American places, events, and institutions. The coins, which are authorized by acts of Congress, are produced in limited quantities and are not circulated.

Because commemorative silver dollars include a surcharge — usually $10 per coin — that helps support the organization, buying them is more than a good investment. It’s also a good way to support worthy causes and institutions. In fact, the program has raised more than $418,000,000 since it began. Over the years, the funds have helped to preserve historical sites and to create new national monuments and museums.

Obverse of AVDL Silver Dollar

The U.S. Mint is issuing two commemorative silver dollars in 2010. The first is the American Veterans Disabled for Life (AVDL) Silver Dollar which became available on February 25, 2010. The second is the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Silver Dollar which is scheduled to be released on March 23, 2010.

The AVDL silver dollar was authorized by Congress in July of 2008. It was created to honor the sacrifice of American armed forces members who have been permanently disabled during their service to our country. Few subjects have been as worthy of this honor.

A total of 350,000 AVDL proof and uncirculated silver dollars will be minted at West Point. They will bear the W mint mark. The coins, which are 90% silver and 10% copper, weigh 26.73 grams and are 1.5 inches in diameter.

U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart designed the obverse which shows the booted legs of three soldiers. One of the soldiers has only one leg. It’s a poignant design that conveys the sacrifice these heroic Americans have made for their country. The inscription in the banner at the top of the coin reads THEY STOOD UP FOR US. The inscriptions at the bottom read LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST with the year 2010.

Reverse of AVDL Silver Dollar

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Thomas Cleveland designed the reverse of the coin. It shows a wreath of ribbons and oak branches with a forget-me-not at its base. The oak branches represent the strength of the veterans, and the flower is a symbol of remembrance. The message in the center of the wreath reads Take This Moment to Honor Our Disabled Defenders of Freedom. The other inscriptions are ONE DOLLAR and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The proof AVDL silver dollars will be sold for the introductory price of $39.95 until March 29, 2010. Uncirculated coins in will be $33.95. After March 29, they will be $43.95 and $35.95, respectively.

The $10 surcharge from the sale of this coin will be used to build the AVDL Memorial in Washington, DC. The memorial was authorized by Congress in 2000.

You can order the silver dollars from the U.S. Mint by calling 1-800-USA-MINT or at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.

Previous U.S. Mint commemorative silver dollars have turned out to be solid investments. Some proof 2001 Buffalo Silver Dollars are selling for ten times the issue price. And the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Silver Dollar sold out very quickly, which usually leads to appreciation.

Read more about commemorative silver dollars here.

Images from the U.S. Mint.

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The U.S. Mint issues commemorative coins to honor great Americans and important American places, events, and institutions. These coins are authorized by Congress and are not intended for circulation. A small number of the coins are produced for a limited time.

Commemorative silver dollars also help to raise money for worthy causes and institutions. A surcharge, usually around $10 per coin, is designated to support the organization that’s being honored. Since the program started in 1982, more than $418,000,000 has been raised. This money has been used to fund new museums, national monuments, and to help preserve historical sites.

2010 Boy Scouts of Amercia Silver Dollar Obverse

U.S. Commemorative silver dollars not only help to do a lot of good, they are often a good investment. Proof Buffalo Silver Dollars that sold for $35 when they were issued in 2001 now sell for ten times that.

The U.S. Mint will issue two commemorative silver dollars in 2010. The first was the American Veterans Disabled for Life Silver Dollar, which was released on February 25th 2010.

The second, The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin, will honor the BSA’s 100th anniversary, which takes place on February 8th, 2010. The issue was authorized by Congress in October of 2008. And the surcharge for the coins will be used to support Boy Scout troops in hard-to-serve locations.

A total of 350,000 proof and uncirculated coins will be produced. Seventeen designs for the obverse and five for the reverse were developed. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner chose the winning designs on September 16, 2009.

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Donna Weaver designed the obverse, which shows a Cub Scout, a female Venturer, and a Boy Scout saluting. The image reflects the diversity in scouting today. The inscriptions on the obverse include CONTINUING THE JOURNEY, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the years 1910 and 2010.

2010 Boy Scouts of America Silver Dollar Reverse

U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers designed the reverse which features the emblem of the BSA and the inscriptions ONE DOLLAR, BE PREPARED, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURBIS UNUM, and BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

The coins, which are 90% silver and 10% copper, weigh 27.73 grams and are 1.5 inches in diameter. They are available from the U.S. Mint and are scheduled to be released at noon ET on March 23, 2010. Uncirculated and proof silver dollars will be available for the introductory price of $33.95 and $39.85 respectively until April 22, 2010. After that, the price goes to $35.95 and $43.95.

Read about other U.S. Commemorative silver dollars here.

Images from the U.S. Mint.

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