Owner Comments:
American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set.
The obverse design of the Silver Eagle is taken from the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. This coin was issued for circulation in the United States from 1916 to 1947.
The coin’s obverse, Adolph A. Weinman's 1916 second winning design chosen by The Commission of Fine Arts was actually inspired by a real person named Elsie K Stevens. Weinman sculpted a bust of her 3 years earlier in 1913. Mrs. Stevens was a tenant above Mr. Weinman's studio in New York City which is how they met. The Silver American Eagle presents Mrs. Stevens full figure striding left towards the sun carrying branches of laurel and oak in her arms to symbolize both civil and military glory. As Liberty she wears a Phrygian cap on her head and an armored plate on her chest over her gown, with the American flag behind her. Obverse inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2011.”
The reverse of the coin, featuring a heraldic eagle, was designed by retired 12th US Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti specifically for the series.
2011-S Uncirculated Silver Eagle was struck at the San Francisco Mint and carried the “S” mint mark. Until this point, all collectible uncirculated Silver Eagles had been struck at West Point and carried the “W” mint mark.
The sets went on sale October 27, 2011 at 12:00 Noon ET priced at $300 per set. Silver was priced at $35.20. An ordering limit of five sets per household was established by the United States Mint, which was likely too high. A deluge of internet and phone orders resulted in a complete sell out in approximately 4.5 hours. Most customers ordered the maximum five sets and as soon as they began to ship in early November, a robust secondary market developed with sales prices more than double the original issue price.
Sales for the 2011 S Burnished coin reached 99,882 coins sold.
Sources: US Mint, Guide to American Silver Eagle Coins, Key Date Coins