2018 Silver American Eagle - PCGS MS70 (First Strike)

Product ID: BST-0011880264

Specifications

Year 2018
Precious Metal Type Silver
Bullion Coin Type Eagle
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Purity 0.999
Weight 1 oz
Thickness (mm) 2.98 mm
Diameter (mm) 40.6 mm
Inner Pack (Quantity) 20
Outer Pack (Quantity) 500
Grade MS70
Grading Service PCGS

Product Details

Overview of the 2018 Silver American Eagle PCGS MS70 (First Strike)

The 2018 Silver American Eagle is a one troy ounce silver coin struck by the United States Mint in .999 fine silver and issued as legal tender with a nominal face value of one dollar. This example carries a PCGS grade of MS70, the highest attainable grade on the Sheldon scale, confirming that the coin was found to be in perfect, flawless condition at the time of encapsulation. The First Strike designation indicates that the coin was received by PCGS within the first 30 days of its official release date, signifying it as an early production example from the 2018 mintage.

Graded coins represent a distinct category within the Silver Eagle market. Rather than handling a raw coin, the buyer receives a coin sealed within a tamper-evident PCGS slab, accompanied by a certification number that can be verified directly through the PCGS registry. We carry this product as part of our broader graded coin offering, recognizing that many buyers specifically seek coins with independently confirmed condition rather than relying on their own visual assessment.

History and Background

The American Silver Eagle program was establis

Overview of the 2018 Silver American Eagle PCGS MS70 (First Strike)

The 2018 Silver American Eagle is a one troy ounce silver coin struck by the United States Mint in .999 fine silver and issued as legal tender with a nominal face value of one dollar. This example carries a PCGS grade of MS70, the highest attainable grade on the Sheldon scale, confirming that the coin was found to be in perfect, flawless condition at the time of encapsulation. The First Strike designation indicates that the coin was received by PCGS within the first 30 days of its official release date, signifying it as an early production example from the 2018 mintage.

Graded coins represent a distinct category within the Silver Eagle market. Rather than handling a raw coin, the buyer receives a coin sealed within a tamper-evident PCGS slab, accompanied by a certification number that can be verified directly through the PCGS registry. We carry this product as part of our broader graded coin offering, recognizing that many buyers specifically seek coins with independently confirmed condition rather than relying on their own visual assessment.

History and Background

The American Silver Eagle program was established by the Liberty Coin Act of 1985 and the first coins entered circulation in 1986. The series was designed from the outset to serve as the official silver bullion coin of the United States, combining government-backed silver content with recognizable American iconography. The United States Mint, which operates facilities at West Point, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver, has produced Silver Eagles continuously since the program launched, making it one of the longest-running sovereign silver bullion programs in the world.

The 2018 issue falls within the original design era of the series, before the Mint transitioned to a new reverse design in 2021. During this period, annual mintages fluctuated with market demand, and collector interest in high-grade certified examples remained strong throughout. PCGS, which was founded in 1986 and is widely considered the industry standard for third-party coin grading, began certifying Silver Eagles early in the series run, and population data for MS70 specimens has been tracked across every annual issue since.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse carries Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty design, originally introduced on the half dollar coin in 1916. The image depicts Liberty in full stride, draped in an American flag and moving toward a rising sun, with her right hand extended in a gesture of peace. The composition remains one of the most celebrated in American numismatic history, and its detail is rendered with particular clarity on MS70-grade examples due to the absence of any surface marks or blemishes.

The reverse features John Mercanti's heraldic eagle, introduced when the Silver Eagle program launched in 1986. The eagle is depicted with a shield at its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows, with a ring of thirteen stars above representing the original colonies. The inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "1 OZ. FINE SILVER ONE DOLLAR," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." On a coin graded MS70, both surfaces are expected to display fully struck details with no post-mint imperfections visible under five-times magnification, the PCGS standard for a perfect grade.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

The United States Mint strikes Silver Eagles to a precise standard of one troy ounce at .999 fine silver, with each coin subject to quality controls at the production level before it ever leaves the facility. What differentiates a PCGS MS70 example is the additional independent verification performed by Professional Coin Grading Service, which examines each coin under magnification and seals it in a tamper-evident holder bearing a unique certification number. The encapsulation process itself serves as both a record of the coin's condition and a barrier against post-certification handling damage.

As an authorized PCGS dealer, we are positioned to offer PCGS-certified products with full confidence in their authenticity and grading integrity. Every certification number on a PCGS-slabbed coin can be cross-referenced against the PCGS online registry, allowing buyers to independently confirm the grade, designation, and population data for any certified example they receive from us.

Condition and Packaging

MS70 is the highest grade PCGS assigns, defined as a coin with no post-mint imperfections visible under five-times magnification. At this grade level, the strike must be full, the luster must be unimpaired, and both surfaces must be completely free of contact marks, hairlines, and any other detracting characteristics. The First Strike designation further indicates that the coin arrived at PCGS within 30 days of the 2018 release, placing it among the earliest-produced examples of the year's issue.

This coin ships sealed within its original PCGS holder, which is a rigid, sonically sealed plastic slab that protects the coin from direct handling and environmental exposure. No additional preparation or protective packaging is required or recommended on your end, as the slab itself provides adequate long-term protection when stored properly. The coin's condition as recorded by PCGS at the time of grading is preserved and documented, giving you a clear and verifiable record of exactly what you are receiving.

Pricing and Market Factors

The base price of any Silver Eagle is tied to the current spot price of silver, which fluctuates throughout each trading day based on global supply and demand conditions. On top of that spot price, raw Silver Eagles carry a standard retail premium that reflects United States Mint production costs, distribution, and strong global demand for the series. PCGS MS70 First Strike examples carry a further premium above raw coins, reflecting the cost of professional grading, the scarcity of perfect-grade specimens within the certified population, and the additional collector demand that accompanies independently verified perfect-grade status.

Premium levels for graded Silver Eagles can vary based on the population of MS70 coins for a given year, current collector activity, and broader market sentiment around certified bullion. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to be transparent rather than obscured by unnecessary complexity. We display the bid and ask spread on each product page so buyers can evaluate the full picture of acquisition cost and expected resale value before making a decision.

Selling and Liquidity

Raw Silver American Eagles are among the most liquid silver coins in the global market, and certified MS70 examples occupy a distinct segment of that market with their own pricing dynamics. PCGS-graded coins benefit from a recognized authentication standard that is accepted by dealers, auction houses, and collectors worldwide, which generally supports efficient resale relative to uncertified coins of uncertain condition. The combination of United States Mint issuance, PCGS certification, and the First Strike designation makes this a well-documented product with traceable characteristics that buyers and sellers can evaluate using publicly available registry data.

We operate a two-way market that supports both buying and selling, so customers who hold PCGS-certified Silver Eagles have a direct channel to liquidate through the same platform used for acquisition. Understanding how the graded coin market prices a specific issue and grade before purchasing allows for a more informed decision about the full cost of ownership across the entire holding period.

Why Buy the 2018 Silver American Eagle PCGS MS70 (First Strike)?

For buyers focused on condition certainty, a PCGS MS70 removes the guesswork entirely. Rather than assessing a raw coin yourself or relying on a seller's description, you receive an independently graded example with a tamper-evident holder and a verifiable certification number. That level of documentation is particularly relevant when buying remotely, where physical inspection is not possible prior to purchase.

The First Strike designation adds a layer of distinction within the MS70 population by confirming early production. Whether you prioritize the historical Walking Liberty design, the reliability of United States Mint silver content, or the specific appeal of a perfect-grade certified example, this coin delivers across all three dimensions. The 2018 issue is a complete year within the original design era, and certified examples of this quality have a well-established market among both bullion buyers and numismatic collectors.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

As an authorized dealer for both PCGS and NGC, we are qualified to offer certified coins with full confidence in their authenticity and grading legitimacy. Our relationship with PCGS is not incidental. It reflects a deliberate commitment to carrying products that meet independently verified standards rather than relying on descriptions alone. We source from reputable United States Mint-authorized distributors, and every product we carry is verified before it reaches a customer.

Our pricing model is built around transparency. We display the bid and ask spread on each product page so you can evaluate both the cost to acquire and the expected return in a resale scenario before committing. We maintain an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and hold memberships with the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, credentials that reflect more than a decade of operating with integrity in this industry. From payment through fulfillment, the experience is designed to be straightforward, secure, and backed by responsive support.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our product catalog, including graded coins. Rather than seeing static retail prices, Pro members transact at wholesale market prices that reflect real-time supply and demand conditions without additional dealer markups layered on top. For a product like this PCGS MS70 First Strike, where premium levels above spot can shift meaningfully based on certified population data and collector demand, having access to live wholesale pricing provides a more accurate picture of true market value at any given moment.

Pro members also benefit from real-time portfolio valuation using live executable wholesale bid prices, which means your holdings are valued based on what you could realistically liquidate at rather than an estimated retail figure. Our proprietary market intelligence tools allow members to track historical premium trends, compare bid and ask spreads across products, and access liquidity metrics that help contextualize how a specific certified coin is trading relative to broader market conditions. These tools are designed to reduce information asymmetry and help members make decisions grounded in objective, current data.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make the buying and selling process straightforward and accessible. Accepted payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, and paper check. Cryptocurrency payments are also accepted through BitPay for customers who prefer that method.

Every transaction is processed with security and reliability in mind. Whether you are completing a single purchase or managing a larger acquisition, the same secure infrastructure supports each transaction. If you have questions about payment methods or need assistance with a specific option, our customer support team is available to help at any stage of the process.

Reviews