The coin: American Eagle silver bullion coin

Struck by: U.S. Mint

Available sizes: 1 ounce

Denomination: $1

First issue: 1986

Design: Coin World Senior Editor Paul Gilkes described the obverse and reverse designs in an article from the April 23, 2007, issue of Coin World: 

"The obverse of the American Eagle silver dollar bears an adaptation of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty design; it appeared on the obverse of the half dollar from 1916 through 1947. The reverse depicts a Heraldic Eagle design created by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti. Mercanti, who has been a member of the Mint’s engraving staff since 1974, is currently serving as the Mint’s supervisory design and master tooling development specialist."

How to buy them: More from Gilkes:

"The Mint does not sell the regular Uncirculated bullion coins directly to the public. Instead it sells the bullion coins to a network of authorized purchasers, who acquire the coins from the Mint for the spot price of the precious metal on a given day on the metals market plus a small premium. The authorized purchasers may then sell the bullion American Eagles to dealers and the public."

The U.S. Mint provides a web page collectors and investors can use to find dealers who sell the bullion coins.

Fun fact: More ounces of American Eagle silver bullion coins were sold in 2014 than any year since the program began in 1986. In all, 44,006,000 ounces were sold.