In this collector's guide, retired chief engraver of the Philadelphia Mint and designer of the reverse side of the American silver eagle bullion coin, John M. Mercanti, details the history and development of the American silver eagles program as well as other U.S. bullion coins and medals.

We Americans are never taught anything about gold and silver through our education system. That's why many gold dealers are able to easily rip off unsuspecting buyers of gold and silver.Financial advisors and journalists aren't giving you the truth either, as to how gold and silver fit into a properly diversified portfolio. So naturally, people are looking for answers."Buy Gold and Silver Safely" provides those answers by explaining why gold and silver need to be a part of everyone's portfolio, and helping people learn about buying or selling gold and silver... the safe way.

To create this book, Moy has drawn on a lifetime of interest in coins and precious metals, leading up to his 2006 confirmation as director of the U.S. Mint. Under his tenure, demand for American gold bullion coins multiplied more than fivefold, from less than 330,000 ounces in 2007 to 1,800,000-plus ounces in 2009, and counting. The U.S. Mint went from a major producer to the world's largest producer of gold, silver, and platinum coins, with bullion coins accounting for the majority of the Mint's revenues.

The 6th edition of this numismatic classic offers much more than previous editions, not only in terms of the number of varieties recorded but also in terms of the way in which the data has been recorded and presented. It has been completely renumbered to do away with the confusing letter suffixes used in previous editions, and is now arranged by monarch rather than denomination; all new numbers are cross-referenced to the previous edition.

Largest collection illustrating the use and development of the eagle in art and design in America contains 321 photos, drawings and designs featuring eagle in hundreds of sizes and positions in every conceivable medium.

Subtitle from cover: A complete history and price guide.