1988-S 1 oz American Silver Eagle NGC

Introduction

The 1988-S 1 oz American Silver Eagle certified by NGC is an early proof issue from the American Silver Eagle series. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this collector-focused coin contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver and pairs Adolph A. Weinman's historic Walking Liberty design with John Mercanti's original heraldic eagle reverse.

History

The American Silver Eagle program debuted in 1986 as the official silver bullion coin program of the United States. Alongside the bullion coins, the U.S. Mint produced specially finished proof versions for collectors, with the earliest proof issues struck at the San Francisco Mint.

The 1988-S marked the third annual Proof American Silver Eagle. The San Francisco Mint produced 557,370 examples, each carrying the S mintmark that distinguishes the proof issue from the standard 1988 bullion Silver Eagle.

The 1988-S belongs to the Type 1 era of the American Silver Eagle series. These coins pair Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty obverse with John Mercanti's heraldic eagle reverse, a design combination used from the beginning of the series in 1986 through part of 2021.

Design

The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty design, originally introduced on the half dollar in 1916. Liberty strides toward the rising sun while draped in the American flag and carrying branches of laurel and oak. The inscriptions include LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date 1988.

The reverse, designed by John Mercanti, depicts a heraldic eagle behind a shield beneath thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER, ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The S mintmark identifies the San Francisco Mint.