The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. It was first released by the United States Mint on November 24th, 1986. The coin has a nominal face value of $1 dollar and contains one troy oz. of 99.9% pure silver. The United States Mint produces a proof version and an unciruclated version for the numismatic market. The obverse design is taken from the Walking Liberty Half Dollar designed by Adolph A. Weinman, and minted between 1916 to 1947. The reverse was designed by John Mercanti and portrays a heraldic eagle behind a shield under thirteen five-pointed stars representing the thirteen colonies.
