Owner Comments:
Mintage 4,295,004
Minted at Philadelphia without mintmark
A nerve-racking search for a spot-free 1997 coin again led me to a MAC Certified spotless coin which did not fail to impress from a striking standpoint. This example is probably the most attractive eye appealing MS-69 I own. Again, with a sharply detailed obverse and reverse, as well as attractive sharp strike on all the prime focal areas, full original mint luster, the smoothest fine textured fields, and exceptional eye appeal, it was absolutely amazing. No scuffs, hairlines or other defects are seen except for a light contact mark on the reverse above the stars detail. However non-detracting this mark may be, it was probably enough to knock this beautiful coin from obtaining an MS-70 grade. With the third lowest mintage in the bullion strike American Silver Eagle series, I found the premiums to be only modestly greater than those of others in the series. With PCGS reporting more than 1000 examples certified at MS-68 and lower (published data from 2018), I sought out a higher grade for my collection and paid a smaller than average premium. An MS-70 was out of the question from a price standpoint as supply and demand took over, with NGC grading approximately only 0.58% of submitted 1997 Silver Eagles as MS-70, and PCGS approximately .038% of those submitted receiving a MS-70 grade.
Numismatic News: A new bullion program went into effect in 1997. In addition to the American Silver and Gold Eagles, a four-coin Platinum Eagle program went into production-- a tenth ounce $10 coin, a quarter ounce $25 coin, a half ounce $50 coin, and a one ounce $100 coin. 173,850 platinum coins were sold in this inaugural year.
1997 average silver price $4.91/ounce