American Silver Eagles are the most popular silver bullion coins in the world.
But there are only a handful of silver eagle coins that have the distinction of being worth more than $10,000 apiece!
Find out if you have one of them…
Fun Facts About American Silver Eagles
- Silver eagle coins have been struck by the United States Mint since 1986.
- They contain one troy ounce of pure silver.
- While these silver investment coins are generally considered common, several American Silver Eagles are quite rare and valuable. This is especially true with the scarcer silver eagles in top grades — some of which are quite rare in the highest uncirculated and proof grades.
- Many of these silver dollar coins are selling for crazy money right now!
Now, you’re probably wondering which ones are the most valuable silver eagles.
See which silver eagles are worth more than $10,000 apiece (based on total auction price, plus buyer’s fee) and why…
Most Valuable Silver Eagle Coins
#14 – 1994 American Silver Eagle ($11,163)
The 1994 American Silver Eagle is one of the scarcer business strikes to begin with. Most 1991 American Silver Eagle values are significantly above spot price — even when talking about regular uncirculated pieces. But in top grades of MS-70, the 1994 American Silver Eagle is worth thousands of dollars. One example graded MS-70 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (now known as Numismatic Guaranty Company) sold at a 2013 Heritage Auctions sale for $11,163.
#13 – 1990 American Silver Eagle ($13,200)
Earlier dates among the American Silver Eagles are extremely scarce in top uncirculated grades — especially in MS-70. This is certainly the case with this 1990 American Silver Eagle that was given a top grade of MS-70 by Professional Coin Grading Service. This coin sold at a June 2018 Heritage Auctions event for $13,200.
#12 – 1989 American Silver Eagle ($14,100)
All of the earlier American Silver Eagles are scarce in top grades, but it’s something else entirely when the designer of the coin, John Mercanti, signs his name on the third-party grading label paired with the coin. This piece, graded MS-70 by Professional Coin Grading Service and encapsulated in a holder with a label carrying Mercanti’s autograph, fetched an outstanding $14,100 in a 2018 Heritage Auctions offering.
#11 – 1992 American Silver Eagle ($16,450)
The 1992 American Silver Eagle is a very tough coin to find in better uncirculated grades, and it’s extremely rare in the top grade of MS-70. That’s the grade one specimen encapsulated by Professional Coin Grading Service earned. When it crossed the Heritage Auctions block in 2017, it hammered for an astonishing $16,450!
#10 – 1986 American Silver Eagle ($21,150)
Coming in among the top 10 most valuable American Silver Eagles is one of the very first ever made. From the first year of issue is this 1986 American Silver Eagle graded MS-70 by Professional Coin Grading Service. This numismatically perfect 1986 American Silver Eagle is worth a lot in value. It sold for $21,150 in a 2013 Heritage Auctions event.
#9 – 1996 American Silver Eagle ($21,850)
The 1996 American Silver Eagle has the lowest mintage of all regular issues in the series, making it the key date among the bullion versions. Even in average Mint State grades, the 1996 silver eagle is worth much more than its silver value. One of the best examples ever encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Company was graded MS-70 and sold in a 2009 Heritage Auctions sale for a whopping $21,850.
#8 – 1988 American Silver Eagle ($27,500)
You might be catching a trend here with some of the most valuable silver eagles. The earlier dates among these silver coins are worth a lot of money in MS-70 and Proof-70 — because not many survive in those high-level grades. And when it comes to the value of this 1988 silver eagle, there’s no exception. The coin was graded MS-70 by Professional Coin Grading Service and took $27,500 in a 2013 GreatCollections sale.
#7 – 2000 Millennium Set American Silver Eagle ($29,375)
So, the first question a lot of people will be asking is if all 2000 American Silver Eagles are worth nearly $30,000. No, the vast majority are not. But at least one took home this huge sum. It was from the specially prepared 2000 Millennium Set and was encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Company at a grade of MS-70 and commanded $29,375 in 2013 by Heritage Auctions.
#6 – 1999 American Silver Eagle ($33,110)
The 1999 American Silver Eagle is somewhat rare in the better grades — especially in the lofty grade of MS-70. One of the last American Silver Eagles struck during the 20th century claims bragging rights as among the most valuable silver eagles in any century! This 1999 silver eagle graded MS-70 by Numismatic Guaranty Company went for $33,110 in a 2013 GreatCollections offering.
#5 – 2000 American Silver Eagle ($33,275)
One of the last 20th century silver eagles is followed up by one of the earliest from the 21st century. This 2000 American Silver Eagle is worth a ton more than silver values alone. Graded MS-70 by Professional Coin Grading Service, it was auctioned for a tremendous $33,275 in a 2013 GreatCollections sale.
#4 – 1991 American Silver Eagle ($34,500)
It’s evident that not many MS-70 grades came along for the earlier rounds of the American Silver Eagle series. The 1991 American Silver Eagle profiled here was graded MS-70 by Numismatic Guaranty Company and snagged $34,500 at a 2009 Heritage Auctions event.
#3 – 2021 First Type II American Silver Eagle ($80,000)
The United States Mint transitioned from the original American Silver Eagle design by John Mercanti featuring a heraldic eagle on the reverse (“tail’s side”) to a flying eagle motif by Emily S. Damstra. To mark this historic moment for the American Silver Eagle series, U.S. Mint Director David Ryder personally struck the last 500 of the Type I silver eagles carrying Mercanti’s reverse and first 500 of the Type II silver eagles bearing Damstra’s design. The very first example of the Type II designs was graded MS-70 by Numismatic Guaranty Company and auctioned in 2022 by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, where it sold for $80,000.
#2 – 2021 Last Type I American Silver Eagle ($85,000)
The very last of the classic 2021 silver eagles carrying the original 1986 John Mercanti reverse design was struck by U.S. Mint Director David Ryder in a special ceremony. The coin, graded MS-70 by Numismatic Guaranty Company, was sold in a 2022 Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale and fetched a remarkable $85,000.
#1 – 1995-W Proof American Silver Eagle ($86,655)
Fittingly, the most valuable American eagle silver dollar coin ever sold is crowned the king of the series by many collectors. The 1995-W proof American Silver Eagle saw a tiny mintage of just 30,125 and has long been considered the rarest of the rare and valuable silver eagles. One of the finest ever was graded PR-70 Deep Cameo by Professional Coin Grading Service and brought its seller a magnificent $86,655 in a 2013 auction by GreatCollections!
If you collect or invest in American Silver Eagles, you might enjoy my latest book — “A Guide Book of American Silver Eagles” (Whitman Publishing).
More About American Silver Eagles
- Current Value Of All Silver Eagles
- Pros & Cons Of Collecting American Silver Eagle Coins
- All U.S. Mint American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins
- American Eagle Coin Program Facts From The U.S. Mint
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
