Owner Comments:
Mintage 4,227,319
Minted at Philadelphia without mintmark
The 1994 is elusive in MS-70, again with the 1990s minted coins having an epidemic of spotting; reportedly, only 0.14% of 1994 graded coins obtained a grade of MS-70 from NGC. In addition, according to the census data I was able to get a hold of from PCGS, no coins were graded MS-70 (at the time the data was published in 2018).
Choosing not to fight the overwhelming epidemic of spotting in this year, I decided to attempt to cherrypick a nice 1994 MS-69. Again, with in-person examination of 1994s showing dismal strike quality, luster or milk spots, I turned to a MAC stickered coin and was very happy with the coin I received.
Despite some poor photography on my part showing white artifacts (and not appearing on the coin itself, this MS-69 is a sharply detailed example on the obverse and reverse with attractive sharp strike on all the prime focal areas, full original mint luster, smooth creamy textured fields, and exceptional eye appeal. No hairlines or scuff marks are seen. However, it does have two small (and non-detracting) contact marks on the obverse and reverse rims which was probably the reason it did not grade a MS-70. I was happy that at least, at MS-69, I apparently was in the majority. The devices and fields are so smooth and creamy, with such superb luster, that I was ecstatic that the only imperfections were light rim contact marks.
Numismatic News: Specialists in the American Silver Eagle series observed that the 1994 bullion strike is one of the tougher dates to find in very nice quality. According to data printed in 2018, more than half of the coins submitted for professional grading by PCGS come close to perfection, grading MS-69 (and many below MS-69) with some tick or surface mark keeping the coin from reaching higher grades.
1994 average silver price: $5.29/oz