Owner Comments:
Mintage 10,676,522
Minted at West Point without mintmark
THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF BLAST WHITE COINAGE IN MY COLLECTION. I ADORE THIS AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE. There...I said it !! ( but no, I don't sleep with it under my pillow. Haha)
I had to look at numerous examples before I saw this blast white coin. When I first handled this coin under spotlight and magnification, it momentarily blinded me !! In all sincerity, I can say nothing negative about this coin. The prime focal spots are pristine with an excellent sharp strike, original mint luster, and superb eye appeal. In my hand and with all the other examples of Mint State 70 American Silver Eagles in my collection, it has no spotting, abrasions, hairlines, hits, or scuff marks. It is an absolutely fantastic example of an American Silver Eagle in MS-70 condition.
Numismatic News: The average price of Silver jumped from 2005 to 2006 from $8.82 to $11.54. The US Mint started offering a specially prepared burnished American Silver Eagle bearing the W mintmark (West Point). Also, for the first time in the Mint's history, a reverse proof silver eagle was offered featuring frosted fields and mirrored devices.
John Mercanti was elevated to the position of Chief Engraver.
Collector's demand for certified examples of ASEs increased with NGC and PCGS certifying hundreds of thousands of ASEs with many tens of thousands designated as Early Release or First Strike. The vast majority graded MS-69. Collectors seeking MS-70 had ample opportunities to have their pick from the thousands certified by NGC and PCGS.