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The United States Mint unveiled this week the new designs for the back (reverse) of it's most popular American Eagle gold and silver coins. The designs will be used moving forward, starting in 2021 with the 35th Anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program. You can expect to see the new designs appearing on these coins in the middle of 2021.
The front of the coins (obverse) will continue to bear the same historic design that have been on the coins for the previous decades. They will be slightly refreshed depictions of the famous works we have all come to know and love. The gold coin face will be the 1907 design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The obverse of the silver coin will display a refreshed depiction of the 1916 "Walking Liberty" design by famed sculptor Adolph A Weinman.
“These beautiful designs build on the United States Mint’s heritage of artistic excellence and fortify the American Eagle Coin Program’s status as an icon in the numismatic and art worlds,” said Mint Director David J. Ryder.
Redesigned American Eagle Gold Reverse
The design depicts a portrait of an eagle. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “50 DOLLARS,” and “1 OZ. FINE GOLD.” Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Jennie Norris created the design that was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.
Ms. Norris, a former volunteer raptor handler, drew inspiration for her design from her deep connection with wildlife, noting that, “The American Eagle is such a noble bird. I was hoping to capture the intensity of his stare through the close cropping. His gaze speaks of pride and wisdom passed down through generations of time.”
Redesigned American Eagle Silver Reverse
The design depicts a single eagle coming in for a landing, carrying an oak branch as if to add it to a nest. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1 OZ. FINE SILVER,” and “ONE DOLLAR.” AIP designer Emily Damstra created the design, which was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso.
Reflecting on her design, Ms. Damstra commented: “My inspiration for this design grew from a desire to show our national bird—with all of the values it embodies—in a unique way that could also convey traits such as diligence, cooperation, care, and protection.”
