40th President

United States of America

(1981 - 1989)

In 1985, 40th President Ronald Reagan, in an unprecedented act of patriotism, returned silver to the American people after it was removed from circulating coinage in the 1960s. By signing the Liberty Coin Act in 1985, President Ronald Reagan breathed life into the American Silver Eagle series. The Silver Eagle was our nation’s first pure silver coin, and it was to be struck from one full ounce of American mined silver. Since its release over thirty years ago, the American Silver Eagle series has been the standard around the
world for both bullion and numismatic silver.

The obverse of the American Silver Eagle showcases the Walking Liberty design from the most beautiful half dollar in US history. From 1986 to 2021, the reverse showcased John Mercanti’s Heraldic Eagle design. The Heraldic Eagle is a timeless American motif that was first introduced as the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. The American Silver Eagle reverse marks only the third time in U.S. history that the Heraldic Eagle has appeared on an American Silver Dollar. The olive branch in the eagle’s talons represents America’s desire for peace while the arrows symbolize our willingness to protect our country. From the fierce look in the eagle’s eye to the complex detailing of each individual feather, this design is undoubtedly one of the finest representations of an eagle to be struck onto U.S. coinage. Beginning in summer of 2021, John Mercanti’s inspirational heraldic eagle reverse was retired, never to be struck onto an American Silver Eagle again. From 2021 to the present, Emily Damstra’s Landing Eagle design is displayed on the reverse.