2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The United States Mint issued the American Silver Eagle in five formats in 2011. The 2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished coin, the subject of this guide, was the specially prepared uncirculated version struck at the West Point Mint, sold to collectors individually and as part of the five-coin 25th Anniversary Set. The other coins were the standard 2011 American Silver Eagle bullion coin, struck at the San Francisco and West Point Mints; the 2011-W American Silver Eagle Proof, the 2011-P American Silver Eagle Reverse Proof, and the 2011-S American Silver Eagle Burnished coin. Only the 2011-P Reverse Proof and 2011-S Burnished were packaged exclusively in the 25th Anniversary Set.

The U.S. Mint recorded sales of 409,927 2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished coins. Ninety-nine thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two were sold through the sets, while the remainder were sold as individually packaged coins. The Mint sold the 2011-W Burnished Silver Eagle at three price points: an introductory price of $60.45 (84.17 in 2025 inflation-adjusted dollars); a reduced price of $50.95 later in the year as silver bullion prices declined; and a 2012 price of $45.95.

What to Know Before You Buy or Sell a 2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished Coin

While the 25th Anniversary Set and its two exclusives continue to command premiums, the three regular-issue coins that padded out that set–the 2011-W American Silver Eagle being one of them–are considered common by series specialists.

The Burnished coins do not have quite the same passionate collector base as the bullion and Proof issues, partly because they greatly resemble the bullion version and partly because the Mint introduced this finish late into the series and produced them intermittently. The Mint introduced Burnished Silver Eagles in 2006 but did not produce them in 2009 and 2010 due to a planchet shortage. This pause hurt demand for the coin when it returned in 2011, and momentum had to be rebuilt. It is worth noting, however, that Burnished American Silver Eagle production has continued without interruption ever since.

In 2025, the market value of a 2011-W American Silver Eagle depends on its status as a problem-free uncertified coin or as a certified coin graded MS69 or MS70. It’s important to understand that the Mint’s quality control is so high that more coins have been certified as “perfect” 70s than those that have earned a lower grade.

Examples with their original box and Certificate of Authenticity appear frequently on sites like eBay and sell for between $45 and $55. These are essentially the same prices that examples graded MS69 sell for – about $15 less than the current market value of one graded MS70.

This represents a 25% decline in value since 2015 and a nearly 30% decline from its issue price in 2011 when inflation is taken into consideration.

There are no known die varieties for this date, but each of the grading services utilizes several novelty labels to assist promoters in the retail sale of the coin. Some of these labels may have been produced in limited numbers and may command a higher price from the retailer or on the secondary market.

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2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS70 (16,282, 1/2025), NGC MS70 (43,234, 1/2025), and CAC MS70 (38, 1/2025).

• NGC MS70: eBay, January 17, 2025 – $83. 16 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, January 16, 2025 – $61. 13 bids.
• NGC MS70: eBay, January 16, 2025 – $61. 19 bids.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, January 15, 2025 – $77. 27 bids. Mercanti signature label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, January 14, 2025 – $62. 30 bids. First Strike label.
• NGC MS70: eBay, January 14, 2025 – $61.02. 12 bids.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, January 14, 2025 – $109. Best Offer. 25th Anniversary Set label.
• PCGS MS70: eBay, January 13, 2025 – $54. 11 bids. 25th Anniversary Set label.

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Design

Obverse:

Artist Adolph A. Weinman’s figure of Lady Liberty is depicted mid-stride. She is dressed in a flowing gown and draped with a large billowing American flag. She holds laurel and oak branches in her left hand that symbolize the civil and military glories of America, respectively. As Liberty strides confidently towards the rising sun, she reaches out a welcoming and open hand. Lady Liberty is superimposed over the legend LIBERTY, obscuring half of the “BE” and almost the entire “R”. Above Liberty’s rear foot is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and below her is the date 2011.

Reverse:

United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle is positioned at the center of the reverse. Clutched in its beak is a ribbon bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Above its head is a constellation of 13 stars configured in an upside-down pyramid formation. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps clockwise around the top of the design and the fineness and denomination 1 OZ. FINE SILVER. ONE DOLLAR runs counterclockwise at the bottom. The W mintmark is to the left of the eagle’s right claw (which holds an olive branch) and above the “E” in the word “FINE”.

Edge:

The edge of the 2011-W American Silver Eagle Burnished coin is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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