Hi everyone, I'm new, so I hope I am posting in the right place. I have 4 American Silver Eagle Dollars dated from 2003-2006. I don't know a great deal about coins, but I think these may be proof? They are very shinny, and in plastic cases. The writing says, 1 0z fine silver. I do not see a mint mark anywhere, but could have missed it. I don't think they are in un-circulated condition, but not sure, as they look very good to me. I know I need to upload pics, to give you all a better idea, but, my scanner just picked a few days ago to go out on me! I was just seeing if someone could give me a general idea what they may be worth, until I can find a way to upload them to the fourm? Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Cajuns
Welcome to cointalk Cajuns! Pictures would definitely be helpful but if they are proof coins they will have a mirror like reflection. Those are fairly common dates from what I see and are probably worth $45~ each give or take, possibly more if you got them graded as cameo coins but that would cost more then it is worth IMHO.
Thank you for you help, and I will get them uploaded as soon as I can. I'm not sure if it is a "mirror" like reflection, the images are very very bright, and the letters and numbers are duller. Have you or anyone else used pics taken with a cell phone? That is my only option for the time being. Thanks so much again for your time. Cajuns
Hi cajuns. This might be easier. This is what a proof looks like. This is a 2008 that I own. Notice how the fields are like a mirror and you can see the reflection of my camera in them? If the fields don't have mirrors than it is a mint state type. They're generally worth a few dollars over spot silver. Around $20 right now. The proofs are worth $30-$45.
Thanks Vessl, for taking the time to upload the pic for me! Yes, I am almost positive that is what they are, proofs. Yours appears to have a black background or is the coin enclosed in a case that has a black background? Sorry, I don't know a great deal about coins, some, but not no where near what I would like to!
The black background you see is the mirror surface. This surface typically shows up black in photos. The details will be a frost white and the background (field) will be a mirror on a modern proof coin. A non-proof (uncirculated) issue will have a much more normal coin finish. It will have lots of luster but no mirror finish and no frosted details. Here is a comparison. The uncirculated issue is the 1996 on the left and the proof is the 2008 on the right. Just so you know, the difference between a proof and a uncirculated coin has nothing to do with condition...it has to do with the method of manufacture.
No. It's not black. It's just reflecting a dark background that's in front of it like a mirror. Which is my camera. See the white lettering by the T in Liberty. That's the 'Canon' logo on the camera. Here's another one I had on file. This shot is at an angle with different reflections. There's no mistaking the difference between a proof and a MS. The MS coins will have frosted fields just like the raised parts of the design and the lettering. Basically no reflection. It is possible that you have a proof that has been handled and has lost some of it's reflectivity. That is not uncommon as these are common gifts. Many get handled improperly and bought and sold over time.
Thanks Vessl, and Camaro, for taking the time. I am going to have to do a little more studying, looking at the pics, and comparing them to mine. I still think they are proofs, but not quite as sure as I was and I wasn't all that sure before, lol. I'll try taking a pic with my cell later, and see how it comes out. If it comes out okay, I'll post them. Thanks again so much for your help
A picture would be great, we could easily tell you if it's a proof or not. But, one easy test would be to test the coins reflectivity. Put a note card in front of it with some text on it (or a book) and see if you can read anything in the reflection...it would be like Vess1's picture with his camera logo visible on the coin. If the coin is reflective enough to be able to read (or almost read) the text...then it is a proof. If it just looks like a new circulation coin...not mirror reflective then it's an uncirculated coin.
Also, I believe that proof Silver Eagles from 2003-2006 had a mint mark. On the reverse of the coin, look next to the eagle. Next to the eagle's talon on the left side (holding the olive branch)...there should be a "W" for West Point. The uncirculated coins have no mint mark.
No problem. As I said above, if you're having a hard time figuring it out, it could be that it was a proof that was handled. If you take a brand new proof and let it lay around out in the open, pick it up and touch the face of it with no gloves, throw it in your pocket, etc, etc... It will still be shiny but the fields won't have near the reflectivity as what is posted here.
Absolutely correct....proofs of these years will indeed have the "w" mint mark. The only hitch being that the 2006 unc. could possibly have a mint mark if it were out of the 20th anniversary set. Not likely in this case but who knows? :smile
I knew there was some hitch in that statement...that's why I hesitated in putting it up. But, I couldn't find what I was missing.
Yeah, the mint did sell the burnished 'w" unc. individually that year too. Sold out real quick as I recollect. Hey Ritchie, was that your Ducks beatin' up on Arizona last nite on ESPN?
Well, my cell phone is not a good picture taker! I did not find a mint mark near the talon on the left side, I did find some kind of a mark on the right side under the talon. I can't tell what it is, so I'm sure that doesn't help. I'll just have to wait until I can get y'all a good picture. Thanks so much for your help again.
Yeah, those were my Ducks. They beat up Arizona State last night. They looked pretty good. We have Arizona on the road next week and then back home for our Civil War rivalry game against Oregon State. If we win both, we go to the Rose Bowl to play Ohio State.
