2011 $1 Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary MS69 Certification #33353876, PCGS #505220
Expert Comments
Jaime Hernandez
The U.S. Mint started taking orders for the 2011 Uncirculated Silver Eagles from its Bullion Authorized Distributors on January 03, 2011.
At the time of initial sales, 2010 Uncirculated Silver Eagles still remained in the Mint's inventory. Therefore, 2010 Uncirculated Silver Eagles were also still being sold to Mint Distributors in 2011. Additionally, the Mint Distributors had to order one 2010 Silver Eagle for every four 2011 Silver Eagles they ordered.
Charles Morgan
The 2011 American Silver Eagle
Released on January 3, the 2011 American Silver Eagle (#505220) marked the 25th consecutive year of production for the world’s leading silver bullion coin. Driven by record demand, annual sales surpassed 40 million coins by the end of the year.
To celebrate the milestone, the United States Mint set aside 100,000 coins for the 25th Anniversary Silver Coin Set. Released at noon Eastern Time on October 27 for $299.95, the sets sold out immediately. Each collection featured five distinct American Silver Eagles: the standard 2011 bullion strike, the 2011-W Burnished (#505254), the 2011-W Proof (#505221), the 2011-S (#509299), and the 2011-P Reverse Proof (#509192).
Paranthetical Mintmarks
Although the United States Mint does not apply mintmarks to bullion American Silver Eagles, it occasionally produces them at different branch facilities. In 2011, PCGS began certifying coins with parenthetical (W) or (S) designations when the mint of origin could be definitively identified from factory-sealed monster boxes. While the coins themselves bear no distinguishing physical characteristics, completionist collectors often enjoy acquiring graded examples certified from these specific production facilities.
Notable Signature Labels
PCGS has certified 2011 American Silver Eagles featuring a variety of signature labels, a few of which are quite rare*.
- Thomas Cleveland, 25th Anniversary, First Strike Art Deco (Coin Designer) | (#640293) 5 coins: all MS70
- Thomas Cleveland, 25th Anniversary Master Design (Coin Designer) | (#911338) 35 coins: all MS70
- Thomas Cleveland, 25th Anniversary First Strike MSS (Coin Designer) | (#909978) 4 coins: 1 MS69, 3 MS70
- Emily S. Damstra, 25th Anniversary (Coin Designer) | (#893008) 4 coins: 3 MS69, 1 MS70
- John Mercanti, 25th Anniversary Mercanti Silver Eagle Signature (U.S. Mint Chief Engraver) | (#897391) 7 coins: all MS70
- John Mercanti, 25th Anniversary Flag Signature (U.S. Mint Chief Engraver) | (#704634) 3 coins: all MS70
- John Mercanti, 25th Anniversary Signature (U.S. Mint Chief Engraver) | (#530876) 97 coins: 48 MS69, 49 MS70
- John Mercanti, 25th Anniversary Engraver Series Mercanti 25th Anniversary (U.S. Mint Chief Engraver) | (#823802) unique: MS70
- Ed Moy, 25th Anniversary Signature (U.S. Mint Director) | (#617478) 8 coins: all MS70
- Ed Moy, 25th Anniversary Signature First Strike (U.S. Mint Director) | (#615814) unique: MS70
- Jim Peed, 25th Anniversary (Coin Designer) | (#823696) 161 coins: all MS70
- Michael Reagan, 25th Anniversary (Media Personality) | (#831702) 16 coins: all MS69
*Signers' coin populations may change over time. Additional Mercanti and Moy coins may exist under the standard PCGS coin number.
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