2016(S) Silver Eagle San Francisco - The Secret Release - NGC MS70

One of the most mysterious issues in the history of Silver Eagles, this 2016(S) American Silver Eagle was quietly struck at the San Francisco Mint—yet for years collectors had no idea it even existed. With no visible mintmark, these coins blended in with the massive West Point issue, hiding their true identity.

While over 30 million Silver Eagles were struck at West Point in 2016, only 4,650,000 pieces came from San Francisco. That makes this special issue ten times rarer than its West Point counterpart, instantly elevating its appeal to serious collectors.

The real intrigue lies in its discovery. These coins were released into the market without any distinction, and for years boxes were opened, coins dispersed, and opportunities missed. It wasn’t until a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 2017–2018 that the U.S. Mint confirmed San Francisco and even Philadelphia were quietly striking Silver Eagles that year.

Certified by NGC as MS70, this coin represents a perfect example of a modern rarity steeped in secrecy, scarcity, and collector intrigue. Few have survived with their original identifiers intact, making them far scarcer than the raw mintage suggests.

Key Features:

• Struck at the San Francisco Mint (no mintmark issue)

• Certified NGC MS70 – perfect grade

• Low mintage of just 4,650,000 coins versus 30+ million at West Point

• Known as “The Secret Release”, confirmed years later through FOIA

Don’t miss the chance to secure one of the most fascinating and desirable modern Silver Eagles. The 2016(S) “Secret Release” stands as a true treasure of contemporary U.S. coinage history.