1986 American Silver Eagle - BU
1986 American Silver Eagle - BU
1986 American Silver Eagle – 1 oz .999 Fine Silver Coin
The one that started it all. The 1986 American Silver Eagle is the inaugural year of America’s official silver bullion coin, and it remains one of the most sought-after dates in the entire series. Released to the public in November 1986 under the Liberty Coin Act, this first-year issue set the standard for modern U.S. silver bullion and has been a cornerstone of silver portfolios and coin collections ever since.
With a bullion mintage of 5,393,005, the 1986 is the lowest-mintage business-strike Silver Eagle of the 1980s, and far fewer survive in original, high-grade condition today. Combine its first-year status with nearly four decades of attrition, and it’s easy to see why the 1986 consistently carries a premium over later dates.
A Classic American Design
The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman’s iconic Walking Liberty design, originally created for the 1916–1947 half dollar and widely considered one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. coinage. Lady Liberty strides toward the rising sun, draped in the American flag. The reverse displays John Mercanti’s heraldic eagle with shield, clutching an olive branch and arrows beneath a constellation of 13 stars. This original “Type 1” reverse was used from 1986 through mid-2021, making it a defining feature of the series’ early years.
Why Buy the 1986 Silver Eagle?
- First year of issue for the American Silver Eagle program
- Lowest bullion mintage of the 1980s
- Contains one full troy ounce of .999 fine silver
- Purity and weight guaranteed by the U.S. government
- $1 legal tender face value
- IRA-eligible precious metal
- A must-have for any complete Silver Eagle date set