2022-W Proof Silver Eagle — PCGS PR70DCAM (Early Releases, Navy Blue Label) with Milk Spots

2022-W Proof Silver Eagle — PCGS PR70DCAM (Early Releases, Navy Blue Label) with Milk Spots

This is a 2022-W Proof American Silver Eagle, certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) in the flawless PR70 Deep Cameo (PR70DCAM) grade with the Early Releases designation and a distinctive Navy Blue Label. The "W" mint mark indicates production at the West Point Mint. The total mintage for this issue was 496,686 pieces.

The PR70DCAM Designation

A PR70 grade is the highest possible for a proof coin, signifying a flawless example with no visible imperfections even under 5x magnification. The DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation indicates exceptional visual contrast: heavily frosted design elements stand out boldly against deeply mirrored, reflective fields. The Early Releases label signifies the coin was submitted to PCGS for grading shortly after its release from the U.S. Mint. The Navy Blue Label is a custom PCGS holder variant that adds visual appeal for collectors.

The Type 2 "Eagle Landing" Design

This coin features the Type 2 reverse design, introduced in 2021, created by Emily Damstra. It depicts a bald eagle in mid-flight, swooping down to land while clutching an oak branch in its talons, as if to add it to a nest. The obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's classic "Walking Liberty" design, updated with modern technology to more closely reflect Weinman's original 1916 half-dollar design, including the addition of his artist's mark.

Milk Spots: 

Milk spots are whitish, irregular surface blemishes that can appear on modern silver coins. They are believed to result from residual cleaning or rinsing chemicals left on the planchets during the minting process, which react with the silver surface over time. The spots can develop unpredictably, sometimes after the coin has been graded and encapsulated. 

Specifications