The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin is a pure silver bullion coin featuring .9999 fine silver with a beautiful design. Investors and collectors around the world seek out the Silver Maple Leaf due to its high quality and global recognition.
The Maple Leaf coin was first minted in a gold bullion version in 1979 by The Royal Canadian Mint.
Minting of the silver version of the Maple Leaf coin began in 1988.
Silver Maple Leaf Coin Specifications:
Each silver maple leaf coin contains one full ounce of pure silver
It has a certified purity of .9999 fine silver
Its diameter measures 38.0 mm
It has a thickness of 3.29 mm
The obverse of the coin features a sculpture of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
The coins reverse displays a maple leaf, which is Canada’s national symbol
It carries a face value of $5.00 Canadian dollars
The profile effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that is featured on the 2019 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin was designed by Susan Blunt.
Reasons to Buy Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
Silver Maple Leaf Coins make a great investment for anyone looking to diversify with precious metals. The coin’s purity, global recognition, low premiums and backing by the sovereign government of Canada are all reasons that investor demand for Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins is high.
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf makes a fine addition to any collection or investment portfolio.
Whether you’re in the market for a few or an entire Monster Box, shopping around to multiple dealers is the best way to find the most competitive prices.
Wading through all the places to buy Silver Maple Leaf Coins is a challenge. Instead, begin by browsing FindBullionPrices.com to find the best Silver Maple Leaf prices from trusted and reputable online bullion dealers. Chances are that at least one or more will suit your needs.
Cheapest Silver Maple Leaf Coins
When you buy Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins it is important to pay the lowest possible price for your investment. Many Silver Maple Leafs are prone to a condition called “Milk Spotting”, particularly coins minted prior to 2018.
Milk Spotting occurs as a result of the minting process in which the bullion coins are rinsed using a special cleaning agent. Residue left on the coins can cause a whitish, milky looking haze to develop on the faces of the coin over time.
Milk spots on Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins can be troubling for investors that buy numismatic coins. However, the majority of Silver Maple Leafs are bullion coins which have only intrinsic value due to their silver content. Milk Spots on bullion coins to do effect their intrinsic value.
Smart investors looking to buy the cheapest Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins will find that the best prices can be found with secondary market coins that may have milk spots, tarnish or be in cull condition.
Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins make a great investment for any precious metals portfolio. Silver Maple Leaf coins are minted from .9999 (four nines) pure fine silver, making them one of the purest silver bullion coins produced in the world.
The design of the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin features a national symbol of Canada, the glorious maple leaf on one side, and a profile of Queen Elizabeth on the other.
Silver Maple Leafs are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and are backed by the sovereign government of Canada for their purity and quality.
A common issue with Silver Maple Leaf Coins, as well as other silver coins issues by the Royal Canadian Mint, has been that over time the coins can develop a milky sheen on the surface. The milky sheen can be just some small spots or can cover the coin entirely.
What causes milk spots on Silver Maple Leaf Coins?
The milk spots that have appeared on Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coins has been often blamed on the rinsing solution that has been used during the minting process.
To combat the problem of milk-spots developing on Silver Maple Leafs, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced “MintShield” technology on bullion coins produced from 2018 onward.
MintShield is a unique production process developed to reduce the occurrence of white milky spots from developing over time. The process is applied to coins during the minting process. It is invisible to the naked eye and has no impact on the purity or composition of the Silver Maple Leaf Coins.
Milk spots, while not aesthetically pleasing, have little to no impact on the value of the silver bullion.
On the secondary market, buying Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins that have milk spots represents an investment opportunity. Milk spotted Silver Maple Leaf coins are often sold by bullion dealers at a discount.
You can buy Silver Maple Leaf Coins with Milk Spots from online bullion dealers. Sometimes these are listed in the product description as milk spotted, circulated or cull Maple Leafs. Coins with milk spots will usually be the cheapest way to buy Silver Maple Leaf coins.
The cheapest American Silver Eagle coins for sale on the secondary market are usually “Cull” coins. The condition of Cull Silver Eagle coins will vary from dealer to dealer and from batch to batch. The conditions will usually show:
Signs of scratches
Some wear and tear
Signs of circulation and handling
May have been cleaned
May have been painted
Imperfections or other damage
May be tarnished from age or exposure to air
Since the American Silver Eagle coin is considered a bullion coin (as opposed to proof coins), a cull coin will still contain 1 troy ounce of silver. Even in cull condition American Silver Eagle coins are still the most recognized government bullion coin in the world. The cheapest American Silver Eagle coins you can buy will be ones in cull condition.
Where to buy the Cheapest Silver Eagles Online
Dealers that offer cull condition and secondary market American Silver Eagle coins will have product listings on their website. The description or title of the listing will identify the coins as Random Year or Cull American Silver Eagle coins. FindBullionPrices.com
racks the prices of both Random Year American Silver Eagle coins and Cull American Silver Eagle coins from a variety of reputable national bullion dealers.
Many beginning and seasoned veteran precious metals investors ask the question: How Can I Get the Best Silver Prices?
For many, browsing numerous websites of online dealers and comparing the prices of similar products is way they’ve been doing it for years.
Take for example the price of 2019 American Silver Eagle coins. The typical premium over spot price can vary from $3 to over $5 per coin. With the spot price of silver hovering around $15 per troy ounce, the markup is 20-30%.
When you compare that to generic 10 oz Silver Bars, the premium that dealers charge over spot price ranges from around 70 cents to $2.00 per troy ounce. The dealer premium over spot price range for 10 oz Silver Bars is much lower, only around 4.5% to 13%.
Investing in silver, gold and other precious metals is typically seen as a long term investment or hedge against inflation. While the price of silver and gold is likely to rise over time the premium that you pay when you buy is difficult to recapture down the road when it becomes time to sell.
Sovereign coins, such as Silver Eagles and Canadian Silver Maple Leafs, that are government backed, often retain some of their premium on the secondary market. Even though the price of silver can swing dramatically over the course of a year, waiting until you’ve recaptured the premium you paid over spot price can feel like an eternity.
Finding the lowest premium over spot price is the single most important factor that investors use in making purchasing decisions. FindBullionPrices.com compares the dealer premiums across all of the major online bullion dealers in a single place.
We pull prices from bullion dealer websites’ 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide investors with the information they need to make purchase decisions at the time they are ready to buy silver.
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a small commission. More information about our affiliate programs can be found here.
The major online silver bullion dealers all have eBay Stores as well. Silver deals can be found on eBay from trusted and reputable sellers. Most of the time the prices offered by the major dealers on eBay are comparable to the credit card prices for the same items listed on their websites. When combined with special offers such as eBay Bucks or periodic eBay 10-15% discount coupons it is possible to get great deals on silver bullion below spot price.
The best deals for buying silver on eBay come at times when eBay is offering a promotion. Periodically throughout each financial quarter, eBay runs promotions involving their eBay Bucks program which increase the eBay Bucks earning to as much as 10% on qualified purchases. At other times, eBay may offer a one-time use discount coupon that could be as much as 10% or 15% of a single purchase.
Buying Silver on eBay During Promotional Periods
Buying silver on eBay during promotional periods is almost like getting a 10% discount on silver bullion. eBay Bucks is a rewards program that acts similar to the way cash-back credit card programs work. Normally, eBay Bucks earns a 1% reward on qualified purchases.
When eBay runs an eBay Bucks promotion the increase in the cash-back reward can be as high as 10%. The cash-back rewards accumulate through each financial quarter and become eligible and must be spent during the first month of the subsequent financial quarter.
When shopping for silver and gold bullion on eBay the prices and premiums often seem unrealistically high, even from trusted and reputable dealers. This is partly due to the fees eBay charges sellers for listings. As well, PayPal fees are typically incorporated into the cost as well. Combined, these fees can make the cost of some products up to 10% to 15% higher than they seem on bullion dealer websites.
However, not all silver bullion purchases will be eligible for earning eBay Bucks or for purchasing with a discount coupon. Items that are specifically or cross-listed in “Bullion” categories are automatically ineligible. Just as gift cards are typically ineligible as well. This is due to a combination of anti-money laundering laws relating to untraceable cash equivalents as well as specific eBay Policies regarding discounts of items in certain categories where sellers are often provided with discounted fees.
Comparing eBay Prices to Those Found on Dealer’s Websites
When comparing prices on eBay for Silver and Gold bullion it’s important to make sure that you’re comparing it to the Credit Card/PayPal price that is listed on the dealer’s websites. This is the closest comparable price.
In addition to the normal fees that PayPal and other credit card processors charge the dealers, eBay tacks on as much as 10% or so in additional fees for each item sold through it’s platform. In some cases, each dealer has a negotiated contract which provides them with lower fees because of the large volume of purchases.
In some cases, the dealers will absorb the extra fee and in some cases it is passed on to the customer with a slightly higher premium than the dealer would charge on their own website.
Typically, dealers like APMEX, Bullion Exchanges, Liberty Coin and BOLD Precious Metals will sell silver bullion on eBay that is eligible for eBay Bucks and other promotions. Dealer’s are aware of when the promotions are running and will often adjust their pricing on eBay accordingly knowing that savvy buyers are looking for a good deal.
During the promotion periods it’s common to find both foreign silver coins and Pre-1933 US Gold coins available for close to or below spot price when factoring in the promotional discount or earned eBay Bucks.
In celebration of the US Mint releasing the 2019-W Quarters into the wild, the coin grading company PCGS, has announced a number of rewards and bounty programs to those who submit some of the first coins for grading.
The reward of $5,000 for first qualifying 2019-W Lowell quarter submitted and certified to PCGS has been confirmed, and we are now proud to announce a $2,000 reward to the first person to submit a 2019-W American Memorial Park quarter to PCGS for grading and encapsulation.
The reward for the first qualifying 2019-W Lowell quarter was split between two nearly simultaneous submissions.
Additional rewards of up to $2,000 are being offered for additional W mint mark quarters that are scheduled to be released this year by the US Mint.
Any quarters submitted for grading with PCGS during the early release period will receive special designations noted on the coin holder labels for those discovered and submitted during the first week of release, noted as “First Week of Discovery”. Those submitted during the first 45 days following the release will receive a designation as “Early Find”.
More information about the rewards bounties and special designations celebrating the 2019-W West Point minted quarters can be found on the PCGS 2019-W Quarter Quest Website.
Silver eagle prices are consistently higher per ounce than generic rounds. Investors that are new to buying silver and other precious metals are often confused by the prices of what seem to be the same or similar items. At the end of the day both are still 1 troy ounce of silver.
Some of this confusion is due to the lack of transparency from dealers who rely on customers paying high premiums over spot price to pad their profit margins.
After all, isn’t 1 troy ounce of silver bullion the same no matter who makes it? Whether it is a generic bullion round from a private mint like the Sunshine Mint, or a 1 oz American Silver Eagle coin.
So why are silver eagle prices higher?
The US Mint is responsible for the minting and manufacturing of American Silver Eagle coins. There is a cost to to manufacture and distribute Silver Eagles.
To recover the manufacturing and distribution costs the US Mint charges wholesale distributors, referred to as “Authorized Purchasers”, a $2.00 premium on every newly minted Silver Eagle. The added premium by the Mint is passed along by the dealers to the end buyer or investor as part of the cost.
Dealer prices for Silver Eagles
Online bullion dealer prices for current year Silver Eagle coins are most often priced relative to the “Ask” spot price, plus the premium cost that the dealer has incurred from the wholesaler and the US Mint.
The price per American Silver Eagle coin will typically range from $2.50 to $3.50 over spot price per one ounce coin. With current spot price floating around $15.40 per troy ounce, this premium range is 16%-22% over spot per ounce.
You can save money on dealer premiums if you buy Random Year American Silver Eagle coins. Random Year Silver Eagles are often secondary market coins that dealers have bought back in tubes from investors in BU condition. Since dealers will buy back Silver Eagles at a lower premium than is charged by the US Mint, the lower premium is passed along to investors.
How much over spot should i pay for silver eagles?
American Silver Eagle coins always carry a premium over spot price.
Current year Silver Eagles will typically carry the highest premium from online dealers and local coin shops. This is because of the premium that the US Mint charges to Authorized Purchasers (Wholesale Distributors). The premium charged by the US Mint ultimately gets passed along to the investors and silver stackers.
American Silver Eagle coins from recent previous years will typically have a slightly lower premium than current year coins depending on dealer inventory.
Older American Silver Eagle coins that are in uncirculated condition often carry a premium as they are often considered semi-numismatic because they are dated. However, aside from specific years where the mintage of Silver Eagle coins was limited such as 1996, back-dated coins have little to no numismatic value. They are simply date silver bullion coins.
Silver Eagles that are in circulated, tarnished or cull condition will have the lowest premiums. These coins may show some signs of wear and tear from handling such as scratches, dings or surface marks. They may also show signs of tarnish from being exposed to air, have smudges or may have been painted with enamel or acrylic paint. Even Cull Condition or tarnished Silver Eagles will maintain their value relative to spot price, often carry a premium above spot price on the secondary market.
The PeaceDollar is one of American history’s most iconic silver coins. It represents the nation’s desire for peace after the devastation of World War I. Minted from 1921 to 1935, this silver dollar holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and investors due to its historical significance, artistic design, and silver content. In this article, we’ll delve into the origins of the Peace Dollar, its design, mint marks, and appeal to collectors and investors.
The Origin of the Peace Dollar
The story of the Peace Dollar begins with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, one of the richest silver mines in the world. This discovery sparked the Nevada Silver Rush, drawing thousands of miners and flooding the market with silver.
The U.S. government responded with the Coinage Act of 1873, which controversially moved the country from a bi-metallic standard (using both gold and silver) onto a gold standard. This move, often called the “Crime of 1873,” effectively demonetized silver and negatively impacted the mining industry.
However, after extensive lobbying by silver miners and interests in silver-producing states, the Bland-Allison Act of 1878 reinstated the use of silver in U.S. coinage.
The Act’s passage led to the mass production of Morgan Silver Dollars between 1878 and 1904. By the early 20th century, a surplus of silver and silver coins had accumulated, halting Morgan Dollar production in 1904.
Reintroduction of the Silver Dollar: The Peace Dollar
After World War I, Congress passed the Pittman Act of 1918, which authorized the melting of millions of silver dollars and mandated the minting of new ones.
In 1921, the U.S. Mint briefly resumed production of the Morgan Dollar. However, many in Congress and the Treasury wanted a new design symbolizing peace after the war.
In response, Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon approved the design of the Peace Dollar, and the first coins were struck in late 1921.
The Peace Dollar was minted from 1921 to 1935 at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints, with mintage numbers varying yearly. It became the last silver dollar produced for circulation in the United States.
Peace Dollar Design: A Triumph of Artistry
Italian-American sculptor Anthony de Francisci designed the Peace Dollar. At just 34 years old, de Francisci won a coin design competition. The coin symbolizes the nation’s desire for peace after the war. The obverse features Lady Liberty in profile, with flowing hair and a radiant crown, symbolizing freedom and hope. The inscription “LIBERTY” spans the top of the coin, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears below Liberty’s profile, along with the year of minting.
The reverse shows a depiction of a Bald Eagle resting on a rock, holding an olive branch—a universal symbol of peace. Rays of sunlight extend from behind the eagle, signifying a new era of peace and prosperity. The word “PEACE” is inscribed at the bottom, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” surrounding the top. The denomination “ONE DOLLAR” is also prominently featured on the reverse.
Peace Dollar Mint Marks and Rarity
The minting of Peace Dollars occurred in three locations: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The mint mark appears on the reverse, just above the tip of the eagle’s wings. The 1921 Peace Dollar, minted in high relief, is one of the most sought-after coins in the series due to its unique design.
1934-S Peace Dollar VF condition Value: $100 to $150
Other key dates include the 1928 Peace Dollar, which has the lowest mintage of any coin in the series, and the 1934-S Peace Dollar, which collectors highly covet.
Key dates and rarities within the Peace Dollar series include:
1921 Peace Dollar: This inaugural issue’s high-relief design makes it one of the most sought-after coins in the series.
1928 Peace Dollar: Known as the lowest-mintage Peace Dollar, it is among the most valuable in high-grade conditions.
1934-S Peace Dollar: The San Francisco Mint produced fewer Peace Dollars in 1934, and this issue is particularly valuable in higher grades.
How Much is a Peace Silver Dollar (1921-1935) Worth?
The value of a Peace Dollar can vary significantly based on its condition, rarity, mint mark, and year. Here’s a general breakdown of prices:
Condition/Grade
Description
Value
Cull (Heavily Worn/Circulated)
Cull Peace Dollars show heavy wear with visible damage and are sold primarily for their silver content.
$30 to $35
Good (G) to Very Good (VG)
Coins in Good condition will be more worn, with major details faded or missing but still identifiable.
$35 to $45
Fine (F) to Very Fine (VF)
Coins with more visible detail, but moderate wear on high points. The design will be clear but not sharp.
$45 to $65
Extremely Fine (XF) to About Uncirculated (AU)
Coins show slight wear, especially on the highest points. Much of the luster may remain.
$55 to $100
Mint State (MS60 to MS63)
These are uncirculated coins, with no wear but possibly some bag marks or other minor imperfections.
$100 to $200
Mint State (MS64 to MS65)
Higher-grade uncirculated coins with strong luster, minimal marks, and attractive eye appeal.
$150 to $300
Common Dates Circulated Peace Dollar Values for coins with different conditions
Key Dates
1921 High Relief Peace Dollar: $100+ in circulated condition, with uncirculated examples fetching thousands
1928 Peace Dollar: $200+ in circulated condition, much higher for mint state coins
1934-S Peace Dollar: $100+ in circulated condition, significantly higher in uncirculated grades
1922 High Relief (Philadelphia Mint): These are some of the rarest Peace Dollars, with only a small number known to exist. Depending on condition, these can sell for $10,000 to $100,000+ at auctions.
1924-S Peace Dollar: Minted at the San Francisco Mint, this coin is scarcer in higher grades. In AU condition the 1924-S is valued from $200 to $250 and can fetch $300 and up in MS60 or higher.
Grading is essential in determining the value of a Peace Dollar, as higher-quality coins in mint state command premiums in the market.
Collecting Peace Dollars
Collectors are drawn to Peace Dollars for several reasons. First, the coin’s historical context—minted to celebrate peace after World War I—makes it a symbol of a pivotal time in history. Additionally, with only ten years of production (1921–1935), completing a full set of Peace Dollars is achievable for many collectors. The design by Anthony de Francisci also appeals to art lovers, as it represents a departure from more traditional Liberty designs found on previous U.S. coinage.
Errors and Varieties
Some 1922 Peace Dollars exhibit die cracks, double die errors, or other minting anomalies, which can increase their value. 1922 Double Die Reverse (DDR) varieties are highly sought after by collectors and can command significantly higher prices.
Investing in Peace Dollars
For investors, Peace Dollars offer intrinsic value due to their silver content. Composed of 90% silver, each Peace Dollar contains 0.77344 troy ounces of silver. Given fluctuations in silver prices, the melt value of a Peace Dollar can vary, but these coins often carry a premium above their melt value due to their historical and numismatic significance.
Even in circulated conditions, peace dollars typically sell for higher premiums than other 90% silver coins, such as dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Due to their rarity and aesthetic appeal, collectors and investors are willing to pay more for Peace Dollars, even those in less-than-perfect condition.
Exciting Facts About Peace Dollars
High Relief Design (1921): The original Peace Dollars struck in 1921 were minted in high relief, which meant the details were more pronounced. However, the high relief caused problems with striking, leading to a change to lower relief in 1922.
Pittman Act and Silver Stockpiles: The Pittman Act of 1918 authorized the melting of over 270 million silver dollars, many of which were Morgan Dollars. This Act also called for purchasing domestic silver to replenish reserves, resulting in dollar coinage resumption.
Peace Dollar Reissue: In 2021, the U.S. Mint reissued a limited-edition Peace Dollar to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its original release.
Final Thoughts
The Peace Dollar remains a valuable and cherished coin for collectors and investors. Its historical significance, artistic design, and silver content make it a worthy investment in numismatics. Whether you are drawn to the coin for its symbolism of peace, beauty, or intrinsic silver value, the Peace Dollar will continue to hold its place as one of America’s most iconic coins.
Factors like condition, mint mark, and rarity will help guide purchasing decisions for those interested in adding Peace Dollars to their collection or investment portfolio. Whether in circulated or uncirculated condition, the Peace Dollar is a piece of history that reflects America’s enduring hope for peace.
After minting, the US Mint packages bullion coins in plastic tubes. Each standard tube holds twenty 1 oz coins. The tubes are then fitted into the Silver Monster Box 25 tubes at a time. The tubes have a relatively snug fit to reduce movement and vibration during shipping.
Each Silver Monster Box contains 500 troy ounces. Both Government Mints and private manufacturers have adopted the practices of shipping bulk product in quantities of 500 troy ounces in Silver Monster Boxes.
A Silver Monster Box of American Eagle coins is green. Other Governments Mint use different colors to identify their Monster Boxes. Some have different colors and sizes for different series’ of coins.
For example, there are some special series’ of coins from the Perth Mint that are shipped in Monster Boxes that contain only 250 troy ounces of silver coins. Some bullion distributors have adopted the term as a way to offer yet smaller quantities, as little as 100 troy ounces, with the term Mini-Monster Box.
The U.S. Mint will begin shipping 2019 American Eagle Silver and Gold Coins to their list of Authorized Purchasers (wholesalers) this week.
Retail online bullion dealers are anticipated to begin shipping pre-orders for 2019 American Silver Eagle and American Gold Eagle coins beginning on Monday January 14, 2019.
With the 2018 American Eagle coins selling far less than hoped for, dealers are hoping that a slowing U.S. economy and rising interest rates will spur more investment in precious metals during 2019.
Premiums on individual Silver Eagle and Gold Eagle coins vary greatly amongst online bullion dealers.
