SILVER PROOF COINS
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The American Eagle Silver Proof Coin
99.93% Silver Purity / Silver content exactly 1.0 Troy Oz. / Minted 1986 to Present (with the exception of 2009) / Diameter 40.6 mm
The American Eagle Silver Proof Coin has been minted annually since 1986. The obverse side features Lady Liberty draped in Stars and Stripes, while the reverse side features an eagle clinching an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. Proof coins exhibit a mirror like quality as a result of being struck repeatedly with special polished dies at high temperatures. The proof is packaged in a satin lined, blue velvet presentation case and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the U.S mint.
ABOUT THE ENGRAVER(s) / SCULPTOR(s)
Two Sculptors contributed to the beautiful design of the American Silver Eagle Proof Coin.
The obverse side of the coin follows the artistic design created by Adolph Alexander Weinman for the U.S. Half-Dollars minted from 1916-1947. Weinman was born in December 1870 in Germany. He moved to the United States at the age of 10. In his late teens, he studied with Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the Art Students League in New York. Like Saint-Gaudens, Weinman was not associated with the U.S. Mint and was selected for his known sculpting talent to design the Half-Dollar. From 1927 until 1930, he was president of the National Sculpture Society. Amongst all his works, he is best known for his design of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, that of which the obverse side of the coin was adapted for use on the front side of the American Silver Eagle bullion & proof coins.
The reverse side of American Eagle Silver Proof Coin was designed by John Mercanti, who is the 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. Mercanti was born in Philadelphia, and spent his entire childhood their onward through attending University. He received his education at both the Philadelphia College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Upon completing school, Mercanti earned a living as an illustrator. He then joined the U.S. Mint in 1974, working as a sculptor / engraver under Elizabeth Jones who served as the 11th Chief Engraver until 1991. Jones retired in 1991, leaving the position of Chief Engraver open for 15 years.
John Mercanti was appointed to Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in May 2006. Over his 36 year career at the U.S. Mint, he has produced more designs then any other U.S. Mint employee in the history of the U.S. Mint. Some of his best known works are: .25 cent Quarters for the reverse side of the coins for the States of Arkansas, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virgina. Mercanti has also designed a number Congressional Gold Medals which have been awarded to some of the most prominent world leaders.
ABOUT THE COIN
In 1986, the U.S. Mint started minting silver bullion coins to compete international bullion coins such as the Canadian Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda and others. The U.S. Mint decided to create a collectors coin of bullion versions. Therefor, the Silver American Eagle Proof coin was created.
The obverse side of the coin features Adolph Alexander Weinman’s design of a full length figure of Lady Liberty wrapped in the American Flag. Her right hand is extended, while her left hand is placed at her side holding branches of laurel and oak. Appearing from the lower left is the sun with rays of light going in all directions. Above Liberty’s head is scripted LIBERTY. To the right are the words IN GOD WE TRUST. Below Liberty is the year the specific coin was minted.
The reverse side of the coin designed by current U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti features the U.S. heraldic eagle with a shield in the center of the eagle. The eagles right talons hold an olive branch in the while the left talons hold arrows. Above the eagles head, which faces left, are 13 stars which represent the original 13 states. Above the stars wrapping around the coin from left to right are the words THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Below the eagle is ’1 oz. Fine Silver ~ One Dollar’ representing the coins denominations
