American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Photos, Latest Values

Interest continues at a heightened, even frenzied level for the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set which was released on October 27 and promptly sold out in 4 1/2 hours.

While some collectors assert they will never do business again with the United States Mint due to their deep disappointment surrounding its rollout, those who purchased one or more of the 100,000 sets are enthusiastically glued to their delivery time and soaring values.

To the delight of buyers, the United States Mint started shipping sets this week. They began showing up on buyer’s doorsteps on the morning of Wednesday, November 9, or thirteen days after their launch. At the pace at which they are being delivered, all buyers could have their sets within one to two weeks. (See photos of the set.)

Latest American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Values

American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set values are scorching hot. So much so that some collectors who originally purchased one solely for their collection are now considering letting it go. With the profits, some say, a few bills can be paid with money still left over for other coins. On the flip side, many collectors have commented that they will never let theirs go.

The United States Mint sold the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set for $299.95. After they sold out, prices quickly doubled. The fervor, in part, led to a temporarily hiatus as eBay halted set auctions until sellers had physical possession of the sets. Now that they are shipping, several hundred auction listings are again on eBay. Here are a few samplings of auctions found when searching the site using the keywords: "American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set."

Auction activity above was a snapshot of several listings on eBay at 9:27 a.m. ET on Friday, November 11.

Only time will tell how long collectors’ attention remain toward the sets and whether the values climb or fall to some degree. Past anniversary sets have held significant premiums, and these latest ones are expected to as well.

American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Photos

Photographic details of the sets and Eagles have been scarce given their recent release was just two weeks back. The following are several photos of the sets, including shipping, packaging and the actual coins, including the two unique Eagles that are only found within the anniversary set. Each of the photos may be enlarged with a click.

As seen above, the United States Mint used a long shipping box to accommodate multiple sets to one address. The household limit was five. The box shown has two.

The sets were stacked by two’s inside this shipping box. The above picture shows the Mint’s outer packaging for the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set.

The first layer of packaging for the set involved a navy blue sleeve with the US Mint’s logo and description in silver print, ‘AMERICAN EAGLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY SILVER COIN SET’. Inside the sleeve is a navy blue rectangular outer box with the same United States Mint logo and writing on its top lid. This outer box feels like a specially coated cardboard box and has one unattached side that makes removal of the set much easier.

As this photo illustrates, within the cardboard box was a highly polished custom-designed lacquered hardwood case, wrapped in a thin white cloth (not shown) to prevent scratches during shipping. The set’s case is 14 ½ inches in length. Again, on top of the lid and writing in silver color is the United States Mint logo and description, ‘AMERICAN EAGLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY SILVER COIN SET.’ A column of seven stars are carved on the left and right edges of the top of the lid.

Above is a photo of the inner portion of the hinged hardwood case. The entire case is lined in navy blue felt. Not shown is a single strip of navy blue felt cloth that covered the coins.

The photo showing the opened case reveals the logo for the United States Department of the Treasury in the center of the opened lid. The five American Silver Eagle coins lay inside, perfectly centered on a removable but sturdy navy blue frame.

Each coin is encapsulated in a clear coin holder for protection and can be removed from the navy blue frame.

The United States Mint’s Certificate of Authenticity is found at the bottom of the opened case, underneath the coins. The Certificate of Authenticity is made of a thick cardstock with printing on both sides.

The 2011 Silver Eagle bullion coin is the ‘whitest’ coin in the set, and it does not have a mint mark. It is available individually (outside the set) through coin dealers and precious metals providers. The price for one is a bit over the current spot price of silver.

The 2011 Proof Silver Eagle with the ‘W’ mint mark has a finish that is specially designed for collectors.

The carefully sculpted foreground images on both sides of the coin are frosted so that they stand out against the highly polished mirror-like background surface. This type of engraving technique creates a very dramatic cameo effect. This coin may be purchased individually (outside the set) directly from the United States Mint website (www.usmint.gov) for $58.95.

In the middle is the 2011 Reverse Proof Silver Eagle with the ‘P’ mint mark. This coin is unique to the set and is not sold individually. Its finish is called a reverse proof because the raised foreground image has been given the brilliant and mirror-like finish while the smooth background surface is frosted.

All of these elements are designed to enhance the features of Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty design.

The other two coins are the uncirculated versions. The United States Mint starts with specially burnished blanks that are hand-loaded into the coining press. The finish on the uncirculated coins is brilliant, with a more soft and matte finish versus the cameo effect on the proof coin.

The mint marks are located on their reverse. As illustrated in the above photo, the ‘W’ mint mark is below the eagle and shield design but above the word FINE. This particular coin may be purchased individually (outside the set) directly from the United States Mint website (www.usmint.gov) for $50.95.

The other uncirculated Silver Eagle sports the ‘S’ mint mark. This coin is unique to the set and not sold individually.