Appearing as the fourth year for the program, the 1989 Silver American Eagles experienced a slight increase in interest and demand over what the previous years strikes had seen.
This may have been due to the drop shown in the average price of silver during that year. The cumulative average for the spot price of silver came in at $5.51 for 1989, compared to $6.53 for the previous year, or a $1.02 decline.
That 15.6% decrease in the price of silver may have been the catalyst that boosted interest in the bullion 1989 Eagles – enough to raise their mintage to 5,203,327 for the year – a 198,681 increase over 1988.
The table below shows the total number of bullion Silver Eagles sold by the US Mint to its network of authorized purchasers during each month of 1989. It does not directly indicate the number of 1989-dated Eagles, however, as some of the strikes sold in a month may have been minted in another year. For specific year-dated mintage, see further below.
1989 Bullion Silver Eagles Sold
| January | 416,000 | July | 150,000 | |
| February | 700,000 | August | 365,000 | |
| March | 1,755,000 | September | 545,000 | |
| April | 325,000 | October | 450,000 | |
| May | 500,000 | November | 350,000 | |
| June | 460,000 | December | 150,000 |
Proof Silver Eagles also fared favorably with their numbers coming in at 617,694 or 60,324 above the 1988 level of 557,370. This number was enough, in fact, to place the 1989 mintage of Proof Eagles squarely in the center of mintages for the coin in their first quarter century of availability.
Each Silver American Eagle still contained the same obverse and reverse design as they had when first released. The obverse was based on Adolph A. Weinman Walking Liberty design first seen on the half dollar from 1916 to 1947. It is considered by many to be one of the finest designs over used on an American coin.
The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with a shield as designed by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti.
The 1989 Proof Silver Eagles were sold by the Mint for $23 a piece.
1989 Silver Eagle Mintages
| Bullion Mintage: | 5,203,327 |
| Proof Mintage: | 617,694 |
1989 Silver Eagle Specifications
| Weight: | 31.101 grams (1.000 ounces) |
| Diameter: | 1.598 inches (40.60 mm) |
| Thickness: | 0.117 inches (2.98 mm) |
| Composition: | 99.93% silver, 0.07% copper |
1989 Silver Eagle Design
| Mint Mark: | Bullion – None, Proof – ‘S’ |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Obverse Designer: | Adolph A. Weinman |
| Reverse Designer: | John Mercanti |
1989 Silver Eagles on eBay