While the entire world was glued to their television screens, watching the fate of Baby Jessica unfurl — the 18-month-old girl caught at the bottom of a well in Midland, Texas — the United States Mint was busy releasing 1987 American Silver Eagles.

First issued the year before, each 1987 ASE is composed of one troy ounce of .999 pure silver mined exclusively in the United States. Deemed the nation’s official silver bullion coin, the Silver Eagle is backed and guaranteed by the government of the United States.

Graded MS69 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, the obverse of each of these 1987 American Silver Eagles features Adolph A. Weinman’s wildly popular Walking Liberty design. It was originally used on US Half Dollars from 1916 to 1947.
The reverse of each ASE features Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s depiction of a bald eagle, which celebrates the Great Seal of the United States.

MS69 on the Sheldon Grading Scale

The brainchild of American psychologist and numismatist William Herbert Sheldon, Jr (1898 – 1977), the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale is a 70-point system used to determine the quality of a coin. Most reputable grading organizations, namely PCGS and NGC, use the Sheldon Scale to assess a coin’s condition.

A coin graded Mint State 69 means it has maintained its original luster, and there are no more than two flaws noted on its surface. The coin has a sharp strike with no scuffs or hairlines, and it has a near-flawless appearance.

About the NGC

The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation made its debut in 1987, as the need for standardized coin grading was growing increasingly important. Since that time, the Sarasota, Fla. based company has worked to elevate coin grading standards across the globe.

The third-party grading service is the largest in the world, and it has assessed more than 27 million coins since its inception. As the official coin grading service of the American Numismatic Association, the agency encapsulates each certified coin in a sonically-sealed holder made of inert materials, protecting each one for future generations.

Get your silver today. Purchase 1987 American Silver Eagles graded MS69 from Provident Metals. Use our secure online ordering system and you’ll have your bullion in just days.