FREE: American Silver Eagle Proof 1986

1986 served as the inaugural year for the new American Silver Eagles series which have been struck annually ever since.
They were only authorized the year before as part of the Liberty Coin Act of 1985, approved by Congress in June of that year and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 9, 1985.
Congress created the authorizing legislation in response to political pressure to decrease the national strategic stockpile of the precious metal silver held by the United States. Many felt that the sale of the federally-owned silver could help lower the national deficit.
That move, however, met with some resistance. Congressional delegates from silver-mining states were concerned that an influx of silver into the market would further depress its conditions.
To alleviate some of those concerns, Senator James A. McClure from Idaho had a proposal. Instead of selling the silver on the open market, the U.S. Mint would be required to strike and distribute silver-bearing coin produced from the silver stockpile. McClure’s idea gained ground and was eventually approved as the Liberty Coin Act.
1986 Silver Eagle Specifications
Weight: 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces)
Diameter: 1.598 inches (40.60 mm)
Thickness: 0.117 inches (2.98 mm)
Composition: 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper

1986 Silver Eagle Design
Mint Mark: Bullion – None, Proof – ‘S’
Edge: Reeded
Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse Designer: John Mercanti
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