One of the United States Mint’s most sought-after annual products returns at noon ET today as the 2026-W Proof American Silver Eagle goes on sale. Produced at the West Point Mint, this year’s coin uniquely carries dual dates of 1776 ~ 2026 and a Liberty Bell privy mark bearing the number “250” to recognize the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Long prized by collectors for its iconic design and enduring legacy, the American Silver Eagle contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver and features the Mint’s hallmark proof finish, combining reflective mirror-like fields with finely frosted designs.
American Silver Eagles date back to 1986, when the U.S. Mint introduced the series in bullion versions for investors and proof versions for collectors. Since that inaugural release, proof versions have become among the Mint’s most popular numismatic products, with hundreds of thousands sold annually. Overall, they have represented a substantial portion of the Mint’s offerings, including issues struck at other facilities and special editions such as last year’s laser-engraved coin and the privy-marked 250th anniversary Army, Navy, and Marine Corps releases.
Philadelphia-Struck Proof Also Available
In addition to today’s West Point coin, the Mint is offering its annual Congratulations Set, which includes a Philadelphia proof American Silver Eagle without the dual date or privy mark.
One-Year-Only Semiquincentennial Design Elements
The obverse (heads side) of the American Silver Eagle has featured Adolph A. Weinman’s iconic Walking Liberty design since the series’ introduction. First used on U.S. half dollars struck from 1916 to 1947, the enduring image remains a favorite among collectors.
Liberty is depicted striding confidently toward the rising sun, draped in the folds of the American flag, her right hand extended in welcome and her left arm cradling branches of laurel and oak. The design was subtly refined in 2021 using original historical assets to more faithfully capture Weinman’s intended detail and artistry. The obverse bears the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and, for 2026 only, the dual dates “1776 ~ 2026,” along with a Liberty Bell privy mark bearing the numeral “250.”
The reverse (tails side) underwent a significant redesign in 2021, when the U.S. Mint replaced John Mercanti’s long-standing heraldic eagle with a new depiction by artist Emily Damstra. The design shows an eagle in flight approaching a landing, carrying an oak branch for its nest, symbolizing both strength and nurturing. Inscriptions on the reverse read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1 OZ. FINE SILVER,” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
A reeded edge variation completes the design and serves as an added security feature.
American Silver Eagle Specifications
| Denomination: | $1 |
| Finish: | Proof |
| Composition: | 99.9% Silver |
| Weight: | 1.000 troy oz. (31.103 grams) |
| Diameter: | 1.598 inches (40.60 mm) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: | West Point — W |
| Privy Mark: | Liberty Bell with “250” |
Price, Mintage and Ordering
The 2026-W Proof American Silver Eagle is priced at $173 with a mintage of 500,000 and is available from the U.S. Mint’s online store.
Each Silver Eagle is encapsulated in a black clamshell box and includes a U.S. Mint certificate of authenticity.
