Expert: Cameron Kiefer - 5/26/2005

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in my collection i have a pair of 1985 silver eagles. however i cannot find them anywhere in a book or online. they are the same size as a standard silver eagle. why cant i find them anywhere. also how much might they be worth.
Answer -
Hi Ryan,

The US Mint did not make silver eagles in 1985.  The first year they were produced was 1986.  It sounds like your coins are a fantasy silver bullion piece that was NOT made by the US government.  It may look ssimiliar to a real eagle but will not be the same.

Cameron Kiefer

i am going to look at them again cause they are definatly in us mint packaging with  a COA and they say Double Eagle on them. also if they werent made by the us who can mint using the united states of america on the coin without getting in trouble. i will be home tonight and look again at them and let you know what i find.
Answer -
Ryan,

Medalions and private coins can say United states of America on it.  They can say US $1, In God we trust etc...

Look at the certificate of authenticity.  It might say Merrick Mint, or New York Mint...etc.  Those are not affiliated with the US Mint.  Look at them when you get home and let me know.

Cameron Kiefer


it turns out they are from the washington mint. my paper says, each silver half dollar in this collection was minted as official coin of the realm by the government of the united states. could u elaborate on this and is there any numismatic value to them besides the silver value?

Answer
"Each half dollar in this collection was minted as official coin of the realm by the government of the united states."

It is a COPY of a Walking Liberty Half dollar.  That design was used on the US govt half dollar but your coin was not minted by the government.  If it has one ounce of silver each piece is worth about $7.  

Your coins were not struck by the US Government and the Washington Mint is not affiliated with the US Mint.  They use roundabout words to make it seem real but it is not.

Cameron Kiefer