MS70 and MS69 Graded Silver Eagles (2024)

Since many customers ask us about graded silver eagles and why we don't offer them, we felt the need to explain the "dirty little secret" behind the biggest scam ever perpetrated on the coin collecting community.

First of all, modern silver eagles are minted by the millions (approximately 47 million coins last year) so they will never be considered "rare" by any definition of the term. In addition, the US Mint has actually gotten very good at minting the coins with exceptional quality right out of the mint tube. For example, of the roughly 225,000 2016 silver eagles graded last year by NGC, over 50% of the coins were graded "perfect" MS70, about 29% were graded "nearly perfect" MS69, with the balance receiving lower grades. In other words, a full 80% of all coins submitted to NGC receive the MS70 or MS69 grade!

In general, the MS70 grade retails at about 2 to 3 times the cost of a raw coin while the MS69 grade retails at about 1.5 to 2 times the cost of a raw coin. Unfortunately, these graded coins only have a "one-way-market" from the big national coin dealers to the consumer. The huge price premium initially paid for the coins can NEVER be recovered. If you don't believe us, ask these same national dealers for their "buy-back" prices for MS70 silver eagles from the past few years. You will be shocked to learn that the high premium you initially paid has evaporated and the MS69 coins are worth about the same as raw coins while the perfect MS70 coins might only be worth slightly more than an ungraded coin.

To add insult to injury, the major grading services offer extra cost options such as "Early Release" or "First Strike" labels. In fact, these extra cost labels are just another scam and simply mean that the coins came from the first thirty days of release - which can often include up to one-quarter of the entire annual mintage since there is huge demand for the new coins when they are initially released each year.

Finally, the dirty little secret... many of these graded silver eagles will develop milky white spots inside the slab holder - AFTER the coins are graded and encapsulated. This is due to a chemical reaction between the holder material itself and the coins surfaces (see above photo). For this reason, both PCGS and NGC no longer guarantee the grade on any silver eagle coins. If the coin turns or develops unsightly milk spots - sorry about your bad luck!

For these reasons, the Silver Eagle Coin Company does not offer any graded silver eagles nor do we recommend them period.

Please e-mail us with any questions or comments.

MS70 and MS69 Graded Silver Eagles (2024)

FAQs

Are MS70 coins worth buying? ›

Are MS70 bullion coins worth it? From an investment standpoint, MS70 coins likely aren't worth the investment if you're paying a high premium. In most cases, coin dealers selling high-grade coins aren't offering anything of true numismatic value.

How much is a 2022 MS70 silver eagle worth? ›

2022 (W) 1 oz American Silver Eagle MS-70 (Early Releases - Struck at West Point Mint) $1 MS70 NGC.

How good is MS69? ›

Grading services assign a grade from 1 to 70, with 70 consider almost perfect with the coin in the exact same condition as when struck by the Mint. An MS69 graded coin is considered almost perfect and might contain a few small defects when compared to an MS70 coin. see less MS69 is a grade rating.

Are graded Silver Eagles worth more? ›

Like many other modern coins, perfectly pristine pieces in MS or PR70 grades is where you will find a spike in value of at least 100 times the silver value. Numismatic value only exists in grades 69 and 70, making 68 or lower exclusively worth its silver content.

Should I buy graded silver eagles? ›

Absolutely! Silver Eagles are popular, have liquidity, and hold additional value to collectors. They're always in demand due to their silver content and purity, as well as their value as U.S. legal tender.

What coins are millionaires buying? ›

Bitcoin has always been the go-to crypto for the rich. Ethereum is catching on with the wealthy based on its perceived utility and ability to create value through smart contracts.

What year Silver Eagle is best? ›

While the 1995 bullion silver eagle may, at times, be an afterthought, the 1995 West Point (W) minted proof silver eagle is the most valuable of the silver eagle coins. A mere 30,125 of these coins were produced and were only available as part of the 1995-W 10th-anniversary gold and silver eagle proof set.

Are first day of issue coins worth more? ›

First Day of Issue coins receive the same point score as non-designated issues.

What is the lowest mintage Silver Eagle? ›

These special Silver Eagles only had a mintage of 30,000. This low mintage beat the record set by the 1995-W Proof American Eagle that was released only with the 10th Anniversary Gold Eagle Proof Set and is the lowest mintage of all Type 1 Silver Eagles.

Is it worth buying graded coins? ›

Graded Coins Often Allow for Liquidity

Buying and owning graded coins is especially important because the coins are much easier to sell. Certification provides confidence that allows you to put more trust in the product you are buying. Certified coins are easier to identify, and their grade is extremely apparent.

Is it worth getting coins graded? ›

In nearly all situations, key date coins in uncirculated condition are worth having professionally graded. This is especially the case if you have multiple coins to submit, as this will help reduce your overall expense per coin when factoring in shipping and insurance expenses.

What does grade MS69 mean? ›

69. Mint State 69. MS69. Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks are visible.

What is the most valuable proof silver eagle? ›

8 Rarest Silver Eagle Coins Ever Minted
  • 2006-P Reverse Proof Silver Eagle. ...
  • 2019-W Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagle. ...
  • 2011-S and 2011-P Reverse Proof Silver Eagle. ...
  • 2020-W V75 Silver Eagle. ...
  • 2008-W Silver Eagle with Reverse of 2007. ...
  • 2. 1995 10th Anniversary Eagle Set. ...
  • 2019-S Enhanced Reverse Proof.
Sep 16, 2022

What is the going rate for Silver Eagles? ›

The Monex bid selling price for One-Ounce Silver Eagle coin is: $32.28.

What's the difference between ms70 and pf70? ›

For a coin to achieve a perfect score of 70 it must have “no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.” Basically, it's the perfect coin. A perfect proof coin would be graded “PF 70”, a circulating coin would be “MS 70” and an uncirculated (non-proof) coin would be “SP 70”.

Do you have to pay taxes when you sell silver eagles? ›

Tax Implications of Selling Physical Gold or Silver

Holdings in these metals, regardless of their form—such as bullion coins, bullion bars, rare coinage, or ingots—are subject to capital gains tax. The capital gains tax is only owed after the sale of such holdings and if the holdings were held for more than one year.

Do you pay taxes on silver Eagles? ›

Similarly, there are several bullion products that are exempt from reporting, regardless of the quantities that a customer may sell. Such pieces include, but are not limited to: Fractional Gold Coins. Gold or Silver American Eagle Coins.

Should I buy graded or ungraded coins? ›

If you've just started collecting coins you'll certainly have heard or read about graded and un-graded coins. Both are readily available to buy and sell online, however if you are serious about building up a truly valuable and impressive coin collection, then you'd be wise to invest only in graded coins.

What is the hottest coin right now? ›

  • Bitcoin (BTC) Market cap: $322.5 billion. ...
  • Ethereum (ETH) Market cap: $162.8 billion. ...
  • Tether (USDT) Market cap: $66.3 billion. ...
  • Binance Coin (BNB) Market cap: $44.0 billion. ...
  • U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC) Market cap: $43.9 billion. ...
  • XRP (XRP) Market cap: $17.66 billion. ...
  • Binance USD (BUSD) Market cap: $16.3 billion. ...
  • Cardano (ADA)
Jan 10, 2023

What is the hottest coin to buy? ›

10 Best Cryptos to Invest in for Maximum Yield
  • Ethereum (ETH) – Decentralized blockchain with smart contract functionality.
  • Shiba Inu (SHIB) – An Ethereum-based meme coin.
  • Bitcoin (BTC) – First and widely recognized coin.
  • ApeCoin (APE) – Governance and utility token.
  • Uniswap (UNI) – A decentralized exchange protocol.
Nov 24, 2022

Which coin will make me a millionaire in 2022? ›

3 Tokens that could make you a millionaire in 2022: Big Eyes Coin, Ethereum, and Decentraland.

What to look for when buying silver eagles? ›

Silver Eagle Design

The reverse features the US Eagle and Shield emblem with 13 stars. The words "1 oz fine silver ~ one dollar" are featured on the bottom of the coin along with "United States of America" across the top of the reverse. Each year the date is updated on the front of the coin.

Are older silver eagles worth more? ›

Time Value

Sometimes, age makes a coin more valuable than its younger counterparts, but this is not always the case. For instance, a 1986 Silver Eagle NGC MS70 is worth less than a 1999 Silver Eagle NGC MS70, even though the 1999 is not as old.

Are silver eagles better than silver rounds? ›

The primary difference between silver rounds and silver coins is legal tender status. Coins are legal tender, which means they have a face value or denomination. Thus coins are money. Rounds **are not** legal tender, and are generally made by private manufacturers.

Should I sell my silver coins now or wait? ›

Look at Silver Price & Demand Trends

The general recommendation for selling silver is to take this step when demand and prices are higher. According to Capital.com, silver is expected to remain somewhere around the $24-per-ounce range throughout 2022. However, the price per ounce may drop a bit in 2023.

Should I buy silver rounds or coins? ›

Rounds can be an excellent value when investing because their entire value is based on the precious metal content, making it more affordable to buy a round than a coin. Because rounds aren't intended for circulation and aren't as regulated as coins, designs are endless.

Can I get my coins graded for free? ›

PCGS Photograde Online is free, and provides detailed close-up photo images for 25 types of 19th and 20th century U.S. coinage issues in up to 12 different grades.

What mintage is considered rare? ›

Mintages can range from as low as 10 to 65,000 or more — and once those coins have been sold, the mint will not produce any more. The lower the mintage, the more rare and collectible the coin.

Is a 1996 Silver Eagle rare? ›

Only 0.7% of all the American Silver Eagles ever minted were struck in 1996, making this a truly rare find. Offered in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, your coin contains one full Troy oz. of 99.9% silver. The obverse side of this silver coin features renowned sculptor Adolph A.

What are the top 3 coin grading companies? ›

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), Independent Coin Graders (ICG), and ANACS are the most popular and credible services. Together they have certified over 80 million coins.

What are the two best coin grading companies? ›

If you want the certification of your coin to be universally accepted you may want to stick to the two most trusted services, Numismatic Gaurunty Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). NGC and PCGS are trusted around the world because of their consistent and reliable grading.

Can you trust PCGS? ›

Because PCGS and NGC have been known to deliver consistent and conservative grading to coins, they are regarded as the top tier – with PCGS being the most respected grading service. Coins graded by these companies should be in their own company's holder with a grading certificate.

Can you clean coins without losing value? ›

According to coin experts, cleaning any potentially collectible coins might cause them to lose value. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins could leave scratches and marks that will be easy for a skilled appraiser to pick up on.

What is the average price to get a coin graded? ›

Coin Grading Costs

Grading prices vary according to the maximum value per coin. For instance, modern coins that are worth a maximum of $300 will cost from $17 to $22, depending on the company of your choosing. Coins with a maximum value of $10,000 can be graded for $65 to $80 dollars.

How much does grading a coin increase its value? ›

The basic idea here is that a coin with a rating of 70 would be worth 70 times as much as a coin with a rating of 1. As such, 1 is the lowest rating a coin can have based on its condition and rarity while 70 is the highest rating based on similar factors and many others.

What MS grade is an uncirculated? ›

Uncirculated (MS-60, 61, 62): An uncirculated coin with noticeable deficiencies, generally either an overabundance of bagmarks, a poor strike, or poor luster.

What does MS70 mean on a silver coin? ›

Mint State 70. MS70. The perfect coin, as minted. Has no trace of wear, handling, scratches or contact with other coins from a (5x) magnification. Coins in this grade are almost non-existent in older coins with very few examples known.

How much is a ms69? ›

Certified Uncirculated Silver Eagle 2020 MS69 NGC
QtyWire/CheckCC/PayPal
Any$49.61$51.59

How can you tell if a Silver Eagle is a proof coin? ›

The proof American Silver Eagles were minted in San Francisco in 1986-1992, so they bear the “S” mint mark. From 1993-2000, these proof coins were minted in Philadelphia and bear the “P” mint mark. From 2001 to 2020, silver American Eagle proof coins were minted in West Point, with the “W' mint mark.

Why do Silver Eagles have such a high premium? ›

As the official silver bullion coin of the United States, the 1 oz American Eagle Silver Coin has enjoyed a high level of prestige among precious metals investors at home and abroad. The popularity of the coin derives from its high purity rating, instant liquidity, and inflation-hedge properties.

Are older gold eagles worth more? ›

The downside is that these older coins, often called numismatic coins, cost more than just their gold value. Because of their collectible nature, old gold coins often fetch more per ounce than bullion coins.

Are graded Silver Eagles a good investment? ›

Absolutely! Silver Eagles are popular, have liquidity, and hold additional value to collectors. They're always in demand due to their silver content and purity, as well as their value as U.S. legal tender.

How do I sell my Silver Eagle coins? ›

You can sell American Silver Eagle Coins as well as other precious metals in a secure and profitable way with Kitco. Track American Silver Eagle Coin prices with Kitco's world leading website, the best source for silver prices and bullion market information.

What is the best PCGS grade? ›

Uncirculated Grades (Mint State) MS-70 - The perfect coin.

Is MS70 a proof coin? ›

Collect the world's most popular bullion and Proof coins certified in perfect MS70 or PR70 condition.

Are graded gold coins a good investment? ›

Are graded coins worth more? Not in all cases. The value of a graded coin depends heavily on the current worth of a coin. Some collectors may choose to pay more than the actual metal value or face value of a coin because it is extremely rare or in extremely good condition.

Are certified gold coins a good investment? ›

Reliable Investment? All gold is considered a reliable investment. It may be more difficult to gauge the best value for a gold coin, since its collector's value is less easily gauged by the live spot price. Gold is considered a reliable investment in all cases.

What is the best gold coin to own? ›

The Best Gold Coins To Buy For Investment
  • Gold American Eagle. ...
  • American Gold Buffalo. ...
  • Canadian Maple Leaf. ...
  • South African Krugerrand. ...
  • Austrian Gold Philharmonic.
Dec 29, 2022

Are gold coins easy to sell? ›

Gold coins and small bars are easily sold.

What is the purest gold coin to buy? ›

Here are 5 of the best gold bullion coins for investment purposes, we hope this information helps you make the right investment choices for your portfolio!
  1. British Gold Britannia. ...
  2. Gold Sovereign. ...
  3. Royal Tudor Beasts - Lion of England. ...
  4. South African Gold Krugerrand. ...
  5. Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
Jun 17, 2022

What is the best grade for silver coins? ›

The grading scale assigns a whole number between 1 and 70 with 70 being a perfect, flawless coin. Grades range from poor, almost completely worn out, to perfect mint state, a coin with absolutely no wear and no flaws of any kind.

Should coins be cleaned before grading? ›

When certified grading came into use in the mid 1980s though, the practice of cleaning coins diminished over time. Most coin experts have since come out against cleaning coins, as doing so can negatively affect them both in grade and value.

What coins to avoid? ›

We advise all investors to insist when buying better coins that they are certified by one of the accredited grading services.
  • Avoid buying gold coins from TV shopping shows. ...
  • Avoid buying modern gold coins with high premiums. ...
  • Avoid buying problem coins that are certified as genuine or mishandled.

Is it better to buy gold coins or bars? ›

If you're looking for a convenient, flexible addition to your investment portfolio, with capital gains tax benefits, then gold coins could be the best choice for you. If you're looking to make a larger investment and want to avoid paying a higher premium, then gold bars could be your best option.

What are the disadvantages of gold coins? ›

Disadvantages to buying gold coins
  • A thief could take your gold if you're not careful.
  • Unlike stocks and bonds, a purchase of gold is not an investment in company growth. You won't get dividends or interest from tangible gold.
  • You may have to wait years for gold to go up in value.

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