Owner Comments:
1st ever reverse proof strike from the US Mint.
20th Anniversary Silver Eagle 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 “2006.”
The reverse of the coin, featuring a heraldic eagle, was designed by retired 12th US Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti specifically for the series.
To celebrate the 20th year of American Silver Eagle coins, the US Mint released the 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. The sets included three Silver Eagle coins, each struck with a different finish.
The first coin in the set was struck with a newly introduced uncirculated finish. These coins were struck on specially burnished blanks and carried the “W” mint mark. These coins have been referred to as “collectible uncirculated” versions by the US Mint, although some collectors refer to them as “burnished Silver Eagles.”
The second coin in the set was struck with a standard proof finish. As with other modern proofs, the coins featured a cameo contrast consisting of frosted raised elements and mirrored backgrounds. These coins were struck at the West Point Mint and carried the “W” mint mark.
The third coin included in the set featured a reverse proof finish. As the name implies, these coins had the opposite appearance of the standard proof finish. Raised design elements appear mirrored, while background fields are frosted. This represented the first time that the US Mint struck coins in reverse proof. The coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint and carry the “P” mint mark.
The 20th Anniversary Silver Eagle Sets went on sale August 30, 2006, priced at $100 per set. Silver was priced at $12.11. The sets were limited to a maximum authorized mintage of 250,000 sets, with a household ordering limit of ten. A sell out occurred after approximately two and a half months.
Sources: US Mint, Guide to American Silver Eagle Coins, Key Date Coins