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Some people love to show their patriotism whenever the Fourth of July rolls around. There are others, though, who tout their pride no matter the occasion. For those dedicated patriots, investing in American silver coins is a great way to support the Red, White and Blue.
Investing in American coins is certainly patriotic in its own right, but it doesn’t really embody that Star-Spangled Banner. There are certain coins available, though, that go the extra mile for our country’s embodiment. These can serve simultaneously as investments and patriotic reminders.
At Silver Gold Bull, we strive to provide products that meet the needs of every investor. If your goal is to invest in precious metals, we have you covered. And for those who want a little national flair to go with their investment, these American silver coins will get the job done.
American Silver Eagle
What could be more patriotic than a bald eagle and Lady Liberty walking with the sun in the background? The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. Every single aspect of the coin aims to embody the beauty of The Land of Opportunity.
The U.S. Mint first struck these coins in 1986, and they’ve been popular around the world since that point. Each coin contains a full troy ounce of 999 pure silver. In addition to being the official American silver coin bullion, the design of the coin is one of the most iconic in U.S. history.
This Lady Liberty design was featured on America’s silver half dollar from 1916 to 1947. Those coins have high numismatic worth, but the silver eagle’s price typically relies on the precious metal value. As you can see from the following examples, though, this isn’t always the case.
- 1988 MS70: $2,350
- 1990 MS70: $4,850
- 1993 MS70: $4,750
- 1994 MS70: $11,500
- 1998 MS70: $2,000
- 2000 $1 Millennium MS70: $14,000
These were the prices near the end of September 2021. Why are these so much more valuable than the other options — which hovered around $35 at the time? It all comes down to the condition represented by their mint state (MS) numbers.
Of course, if you’re just looking for American silver coins to show your patriotism, there’s no need to spend these prices. In fact, avoiding these high-numismatic pieces is vital if you’re hoping simply to invest in silver bullion.
If you want to get the most value for your investment, though, take a lesson from the aforementioned coins’ heightened values. Care for your coins and keep them in great condition, and they may one day exceed their precious metal value.
Morgan Silver Dollars
Most people know about the Great Depression, but that was far from the only economic slump America ever felt. In fact, it wasn’t even the first. The Panic of 1873 left the U.S. dollar seriously devalued. The Morgan dollar became the American silver coin meant to solve this issue.
Upon its release in 1878, the Morgan silver dollar was meant to re-inflate the dollar by altering the gold-silver ratio. The coin stayed in production until 1904, with another issue coming out in 1921. Unlike the silver eagle, though, this coin contains less than an ounce of 900 pure silver.
Of course, this doesn’t devalue its place in American history. Few other coins — if any — have the distinction of being used to save the economy. Similar to silver eagles, however, certain strikes of the coin surpass the value of their common counterparts:
- 1878 8TF MS67: $70,000
- 1878 8TF MS68: $95,000
- 1878-CC MS66: $30,000
- 1879-CC MS60: $285,000
- 1880-O MS 66: $125,000
- 1882 MS66: $25,000
- 1882-CC MS68: $55,000
- 1839-S MS67: $2,250,000
These were the prices near the end of September 2021. Just like their silver eagle counterparts, some of these price variations depend on condition. Since these American silver coins were not released as bullion, though, their numismatic value relies heavily on rarity.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a millionaire to purchase the Morgan silver dollar. In fact, an average example of the coin sold for around $35 at the same time the 1839-S was selling for over $2 million.
This again all comes down to your investment goals. If you’re seeking a patriotic American silver coin for its precious metal value, a common date Morgan is perfect for your needs. If you’re aiming for a higher numismatic value, though, silver content won’t mean nearly as much.
American Commemorative Silver Dollars
Some silver coins stand out because they played a major role in history. Others catch our attention because they’re our country’s official bullion. Then there’s the U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollar — a modern coin that stands out because it reminds us of history’s lessons.
First released in 1986, these commemorative coins feature various designs from our history. When you’re seeking these American silver coins, though, it’s important to know what you’re getting. As it turns out, not all of them are silver.
While many of the coins since 2004 contain just over three-quarters of an ounce of 900 silver, many of the earlier coins did not. Additionally, some of these patriotic offerings even contained gold! When you’re considering purchasing these coins, the following are some of the most valuable options:
- 1996-D Centennial Olympics – Rowing
- 1996-D Centennial Olympics – Tennis
- 1996-D Smithsonian 150th Anniversary
- 1997-P National Law Enforcement Memorial
- 1998-S Black Revolutionary War Patriots
- 2001-D American Buffalo
Just like the other American silver coins discussed in this guide, though, higher values often aren’t related to precious metal content. When the price of silver hovered around $22.50, you could buy the more common silver coins for about $28.50.
If you’re wondering about the price differential, it all comes down to the premium. No matter where you buy silver coins or bullion, premiums account for costs related to mining, production, retail and other necessary processes.
Fortunately, you’ll also find that American silver coins retain more value than bullion bars and other options. This means you’ll satisfy your patriotic urge while also getting one of the best precious metal investments out there.
America the Beautiful Silver Coins
People often ask “what’s in a name?”. For the America the Beautiful series, the answer is “everything.” These patriotic silver coins come in a variety of unique designs. They’ve been in production since 2010 and each features George Washington on the obverse.
Unlike other American silver coinage, the America the Beautiful coin series is massive. It contains 5 ounces of 999 pure silver and measures 3 inches in diameter. We love patriotism and everything big in America, and this coin meets both those requirements.
Each coin is dedicated to an American city, state or territory. The design on each holds a significant place in the history of its featured region. Here are just a few of the designs you’ll see if you invest in these coins:
- 2010: Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas
- 2012: El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico
- 2015: Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana
- 2018: Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia
- 2020: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas
- 2021: Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site in Alabama
This is just a small sampling of the American silver coins available in this series. The U.S. Mint releases five of these massive coins every year. This means you can choose the coin that you feel is most patriotic. Better yet, you can build a collection of your entire region!
One thing to keep in mind is that you’re getting numismatic value in addition to bullion. This makes condition a very important factor. For instance, a 2010 Grand Canyon coin with a condition of MS63 held a value of $210 near the end of September 2021. An MS69 was worth $256.
Regardless of which of these American silver coins you purchase — or their condition — you’re still getting a significant amount of precious metal. This will hold value regardless of whether a coin’s collector’s worth fluctuates over time.
Invest in American Silver Coins Today
There are plenty of options out there for investing in silver. With bullion, you’ll find few differences between your choices. That’s at least the case when you consider their precious metal value. When you’re looking for something more, though, these American coins excel.
At Silver Gold Bull, we understand that American silver coins are some of the most beautiful ever created. And whether you’re seeking bullion-grade coins or historic items, each tell their own little story of our amazing country.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. There may be several other patriotic silver pieces out there you’ll fall in love with. Visit our Silver Coin Products page today to see just how many ways you can invest and support Old Glory at the same time!
