Proof versions of the American Silver Eagle have been issued for collectors since the start of the series in 1986. From 1986 to 1992, the coins carried the "S" mint mark to designate mintage at the San Francisco Mint. From 1993-2000, the coins carried the "P" mint mark for the Philadelphia Mint. From 2001 to present, the coins carried the "W" mint mark to designate mintage at the West Point Mint.

In 2010, the proof version of the Silver Eagle was not issued as the US Mint struggled to meet demand for the bullion versions of the coin.

In 1995, a special coin was issued with the "W" mint mark as part of the 10th Anniversary Gold Eagle Set. This coin had an extremely low mintage and is considered the key date coin of the Silver Eagles.

In 2006 and 2011, reverse proof versions of the coin were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and included within special anniversary sets issued by the United States Mint.

The table below shows the mintage figures for Proof Silver Eagles from 1986 to present.

Year	Proof
1986-S	1,446,778
1987-S	904,732
1988-S	557,370
1989-S	617,694
1990-S	695,510
1991-S	511,925
1992-S	498,654
1993-P	405,913
1994-P	372,168
1995-P	438,511
1995-W	30,125
1996-P	500,000
1997-P	435,368
1998-P	450,000
1999-P	549,796
2000-P	600,000
2001-W	746,398
2002-W	647,342
2003-W	747,831
2004-W	801,602
2005-W	816,663
2006-W	1,092,477
2006-P Reverse Proof	248,875
2007-W	821,759
2008-W	700,797
2010-W	860,000
2011-W	950,000
2011-P Reverse Proof	100,000