2004 American Silver Eagle

2004 American silver eagles are part of the long-running American Eagle bullion coin series, which features both the .999 silver issue and fine gold coins. The series, which debuted in 1986, has become one of the most popular bullion coin series in the world, attracting investors both from the United States and abroad.

However, the American Eagle series isn’t loved only by investors – coin collectors, too, appreciate these coins, which is somewhat unusual for bullion offerings. Part of the appeal for numismatists is that the American silver eagle features an obverse design first made popular on the Walking Liberty half dollar in 1916. The Walking Liberty design, which was created by Adolph A. Weinman and utilized on the half dollar through 1947, was lovingly revived for use on the American silver eagle beginning the first year the bullion coin was produced.

All 2004 American silver eagles were minted at the West Point mint. 8,882,754 uncirculated specimens were made there, while 801,602 proof examples were struck. In general, the uncirculated examples can be had for a small premium over spot price, while the proof version goes for about $20 over the prevailing bullion value. Be sure to avoid American silver eagles with splotchy toning, which mainly exist as a result of being removed from their original U.S. Mint packaging.