The design on the coin's reverse was taken from the "Walking Liberty" design by Adolph A. Weinman, which originally had been used on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin of the United States from 1916 to 1947. As this iconic design had been a public favorite and one of the most beloved designs of any United States coinage of modern times, silver or otherwise, it was revived for the Silver Eagle decades later. The coin is fully plated in black Ruthenium while the details of the coin are selectively plated in 24 kt Rose Gold. The reverse is inscribed with the year of minting or issuance, the word LIBERTY, and the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST. The obverse was designed by John Mercanti and portrays a heraldic eagle behind a shield; the eagle grasps an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left talon, echoing the Great Seal of the United States; above the eagle are thirteen five-pointed stars representing the Thirteen Colonies. The obverse is inscribed with the phrases UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR, and E PLURIBUS UNUM (on the banner that the eagle holds in its beak), as well as the mintmark if applicable.
Read moreShow less