1986 Silver Eagle - NGC 69

Uncirculated Coins in Near-Perfect MS69

When it comes to collecting, firsts are always important -- and none have become more iconic in the series than these -- in large part due to the news that broke a few years ago: The 1986 and 1987 Uncirculated Silver Eagles were actually struck at the San Francisco Mint (without a mint mark) -- not the West Point Mint like we all originally believed!

This confusion came from the fact that West Point was created to be THE U.S. Mint to strike the bullion version of the Silver Eagle -- but they weren't ready for the first two years, so the San Francisco Mint stepped up and struck the coins that were needed --much like they still do today with their Supplemental and Emergency Issues!

A Freedom-of-Information-Act (FOIA) request cleared this confusion up a few years ago -- and ever since these already iconic U.S. Mint firsts have become some of the must-have Silver Eagles in the series.

When it comes to finding these coins in Near-Perfect MS69 condition, you'd be shocked at how few exist -- and don't just take our word for it, take a look at the numbers:

1986 UNC Silver Eagle Mintage: 5,393,005 vs. 203,750 in NGC MS69 or better

That is just 1 in every 27 coins struck! Just 3.78% of the entire mintage!

1987 UNC Silver Eagle Mintage: 11,442,335 vs. 174,640 in NGC MS69 or better

That is just 1 in every 66 coins struck! Just 1.53% of the entire mintage!

That incredible rarity, combined with their new status as the first-ever Uncirculated Silver Eagles struck at the San Francisco Mint, has made them very hard to find today in this grade.

Each coin will arrive certified by NGC as being in Near-Perfect MS69 condition.