2017 American Silver Eagle

Obverse Design of the 2017 American Silver Eagle

For over 30 years, collectors have admired the beautiful Walking Liberty design created by architectural sculptor, Adolph A. Weinman. Originally minted on Half Dollar coins from 1917 to 1947, the elegant picture of Lady Liberty made a groundbreaking reappearance on the first American Silver Eagle in 1986. Each coin utilizes 1 oz. of 99.9% fine silver and carries the now famed Walking Liberty design on its obverse.

In addition to creating this iconic image of Lady Liberty, Weinman also is responsible for designing the Winged Liberty design that is often referred to as the Mercury dime design. In this picture, Lady Liberty is seen wearing a winged cap that to many collectors, resembles the Roman god of war, Mercury. Though the Winged Liberty design does resemble Mercury, the U.S. mint ensures collectors that Weinman’s design represents “liberty of thought.”

Reverse Design of the 2017 American Silver Eagle

Each year, the U.S. Mint releases the American Silver Eagle with the classic 1986 spread-winged eagle design created by John Mercanti, the 12th U.S. Mint Chief Engraver on its reverse. This design borrows many elements from the Great Seal of the United States and proudly brings strength and dignity to the American Silver Eagle coin’s reverse.

The regal Bald Eagle is shown holding a banner that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, a bundle of arrows and an olive branch. In addition to a Union shield, the reverse design of the 2017 American Silver Eagle shows thirteen stars and the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “1 OZ. FINE SILVER” and “ONE DOLLAR.”