Owner Comments:
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 “2017.”
Elsie K. Stevens unimaginable and amazing legacy in US coinage.
By chance while looking for an apartment in New York City, Elsie and her husband, poet Wallace Stevens, meet Adolph A Weinman and become tenants above Adolph's studio at 441 W. 21st Street, in New York City. In 1913 Mr. Weinman chooses Elsie as a model for a sculpture and creates a bust of her. The sculpture becomes his inspiration for the obverse design of the 1916 Mercury Dime and her full figure for the 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. In 1986 Elsie's image from the half dollar is chosen for the obverse of American Eagle Silver proof and bullion coin program. Then in 2017 Mrs. Stevens image from the Mercury Dime is chosen for the obverse of the American Eagle One Once Palladium Coin program available from the US Mint in 2017 to dealers only, than open for purchase in 2018 to the public.
She has been minted on the dime, the half dollar, the dollar and a $25 dollar bullion coin. Her image has been struck in the precious metals of silver, gold, and palladium. For more than 100 years Mrs. Stevens has been minted in every finish including high relief gracing the obverse of 3.8 billion coins to date and still counting. Surpassing 4 billion is not that far off as Elsie's likeness on the Silver American Eagle remains for the newly redesigned coin.
The reverse of the coin, featuring a heraldic eagle, was designed by retired 12th US Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti specifically for the series.
The US Mint released the 2017 W Burnished Silver Eagle on June 29th, 2017. The release day price was $45.00, silver was priced at $16.65. Total sales for the 2017 W Burnished reached 176,739 coins sold.
Sources: US Mint, Guide to American Silver Eagle Coins, Key Date Coins