1997-P Proof Silver Eagle (Box & COA)

The 1997-P Proof Silver Eagle is the second year Philadelphia struck the Proof Silver Eagle series, carrying forward the sharp frosted devices and mirror-like fields collectors expect. Packaged in its original U.S. Mint velvet box with the matching Certificate of Authenticity (COA), this proof offers both eye appeal and historical significance for anyone pursuing a complete Silver Eagle set.

Historical Insight

After the Philadelphia Mint assumed proof production in 1996, the 1997-P continued to demonstrate the Mint's technical mastery and the series' growing popularity. With its sub-half-million mintage, it is scarcer than most San Francisco proofs yet remains affordable—making it an excellent bridge between the early-series "S" coins and the lower-mintage West Point proofs that followed. Collectors prize it for:

Collector Note

Pairing the 1997-P with its 1996-P predecessor creates a tidy two-coin snapshot of Philadelphia's contributions before West Point assumed full proof production in 2001. Completing this "P-Mint mini-set" is a popular goal among modern Silver Eagle enthusiasts.

Highlights:

• Year: 1997
• Mint Mark: P (Philadelphia)
• Weight: 1 troy oz
• Obverse: Adolph A. Weinman's classic Walking Liberty—Lady Liberty strides toward a rising sun, draped in the U.S. flag and carrying branches of oak and laurel that symbolize strength and peace.
• Reverse: John Mercanti's heraldic eagle behind a shield. The eagle grasps arrows and an olive branch, with thirteen stars above representing the original colonies.
• Condition: Proof
• Face Value: $1 USD (legal tender)
• Packaging: Includes original U.S. Mint presentation box and COA