BU vs Proof vs Burnished Silver Eagles
Short answer
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Silver Eagles are the bullion version: struck in large numbers, sold close to the silver price, with no mint mark. Proof coins are struck more than once on polished blanks for mirror-like fields. Burnished coins have a satin finish and a W mint mark. All contain one troy ounce of 0.999 silver.
The US Mint strikes the Eagle Coin Bullions in three finishes. They share the same designs, size and silver content; what differs is how they are struck, how they are sold and how much they cost above the silver value.
| Brilliant Uncirculated (bullion) | Proof | Burnished | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Bright, as struck on high-speed presses | Mirror-like fields, frosted design | Soft satin finish |
| Mint mark | None | Yes (for example W) | W |
| How it is sold | By the US Mint to its authorized purchasers, then through dealers | Directly by the US Mint to collectors, with box and certificate | Directly by the US Mint to collectors, with box and certificate |
| Price above silver value | Lowest | Highest | High |
| Silver content | 1 troy oz of 0.999 fine silver, 40.6 mm, reeded edge, $1 face value | ||
Brilliant Uncirculated: the bullion coin
Bullion Silver Eagles are made for people who want silver at a modest cost above its market value. The Mint does not sell them to the public; it sells them in bulk to authorized purchasers, who supply dealers such as us. They ship from the Mint in plastic tubes of 20 coins, packed 25 tubes to a box.
“Brilliant Uncirculated” describes the coin’s condition: it has never been in circulation. It is not a grade from a grading service. Because bullion coins are struck quickly and handled in bulk, small marks from minting and packing are normal.
Every coin we sell is a Brilliant Uncirculated bullion coin.
Proof
Proof coins are struck more than once with polished dies on specially prepared blanks. The result is a mirror background with frosted raised design. They are sold by the Mint in a presentation case and cost considerably more than bullion coins.
Burnished
Burnished coins, sold by the Mint as “Uncirculated”, are struck on burnished blanks that give a satin look, and carry a W mint mark for West Point. They also come in a box with a certificate and sit between bullion and proof in price.
Which should you buy?
If you want the most silver for your money, buy bullion. If you collect coins for their finish and packaging, proof or burnished coins are the collector versions; they are sold by the US Mint and specialist dealers.
