New American Eagle Gold and Silver Coin Designs Unveiled

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The United States Mint announced new designs for bullion and collector editions of American Eagle gold and silver coins. The U.S. Mint’s 34-year-old series of coins has featured the same obverse (heads) and reverse (tails) designs since their introduction in 1986.

2021 American Eagle Gold and Silver Reverse Designs
U.S. Mint redesigns for reverses of gold (left) and silver (right) American Eagle coins

Beginning in 2021, their obverses will carry "refreshed" versions of the original designs, the Mint noted, while their reverses will feature brand new eagle depictions.

"These beautiful designs build on the United States Mint’s heritage of artistic excellence and fortify the American Eagle Coin Program’s status as an icon in the numismatic and art worlds," Mint Director David J. Ryder said Oct. 1.

2021 marks the 35th anniversary for American Eagle gold and silver coins. The new designs will begin appearing on these coins by mid-next year, the Mint stated.

Redesigned American Gold Eagle Reverse

Designed by Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Jennie Norris and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon, the redesigned American Gold Eagle reverse depicts a portrait of an eagle.

2021 American Gold Eagle Reverse Design
U.S. Mint image of the new American Gold Eagle reverse design

Surrounding inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IN GOD WE TRUST," "50 DOLLARS" and "1 OZ. FINE GOLD."

"The American Eagle is such a noble bird. I was hoping to capture the intensity of his stare through the close cropping. His gaze speaks of pride and wisdom passed down through generations of time," noted Ms. Norris, a former volunteer raptor handler.

Redesigned American Silver Eagle Reverse

Designed by AIP designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso, the redesigned American Silver Eagle reverse shows an eagle coming in for a landing, carrying an oak branch as if to add it to a nest.

2021 American Silver Eagle Reverse Design
U.S. Mint image of the new American Silver Eagle reverse design

Surrounding inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "1 OZ. FINE SILVER" and "ONE DOLLAR."

"My inspiration for this design grew from a desire to show our national bird — with all of the values it embodies — in a unique way that could also convey traits such as diligence, cooperation, care, and protection," Ms. Damstra commented.

Updated Security Features

The newly announced designs will be coupled with yet to be revealed anti-counterfeiting technology, appearing first on bullion editions and follow sometime later on proof and uncirculated versions for collectors.

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K ROB

the gold design looks ok but the silver design not that ok.i don’t like designs with the eagle’s feathers clipped.the new design would be nice if not for that.an eagle with clipped wings can never survive in the wild for long.

joera

I’ll have to see them in person before I know if I will like them or not.

MJS1447

They look to me like they were designed with colorization in mind.

Jake

I hope not. I think what we are seeing is the enhanced anti-counterfeiting measures mentioned in the last few sentence. I’m hoping the coins will be textured.

RonnieBGood

The gold is okay.
I really don’t like silver design.
I guess the mint wants to sink the last beautiful design being minted.

Christopher Williams

The Gold is awesome. Well done.

Seth Riesling

The gold coin design is nice. I don’t like the clipped wing on the eagle & the very bare, mostly, oak branch on the silver coin design.

NumisdudeTX

Noel strong

Where is the statement in god we trust on the silver eagle

morgan

It’s on the obverse of the coin.

Jim Longacre

The gold’s good but the silver looks like a bullion round from the 1980s.

sam tweedy

You can display both of these with your “bat”and giant “weed” quarters!!!….Run Forrest Run!!! pass on both!!!

Shelton Vance

Can’t said it Ugly

James Madison

Both or pretty Ugly if you ask me!

Foxman69

13 stars gone? A foreshadowing of things to come?

Christopher

That eagle on the gold is rather creepy. His eye seems to follow me around the room!

Last edited 3 years ago by Christopher
sam tweedy

I purchased more of the 2020 heraldic eagle designs, because I know I will not be buying any 2021’s NO THANKS!!!!!