2022 Silver American Eagle Proof 70 Coin

This long-anticipated 2022 Silver Eagle Proof issue will mark the second time in the Silver American Eagle series’ now-35-year history a new reverse design will be featured. While Mercanti’s “heraldic eagle” reverse image has become arguably one of the most recognizable coin designs in U.S. numismatic history and remains much beloved by coin investors across the globe, the program’s new “tails” side design is already ginning up much buzz and fanfare in the precious metals sphere. The new design was created by Emily Damstra, a multi-year member of the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program and professional illustrator. She has created several motifs for coins from both the U.S. and Royal Canadian mints and a few postage stamps for the United Nations Postal Administration.

While the updated Silver American Eagle’s obverse side will continue to feature Adolph A. Weinman’s classic Walking Liberty design, the Mint has noted in its description of the 2022 release that, “thanks to technological advancements in the design and minting process, Liberty now encompasses some of Weinman’s original details that were not previously possible.” The Mint further elaborates that it “returned to its original historical assets to render a closer reflection of Weinman’s original vision.” Specifically, according to a subscriber email sent by the Mint just before the launch, this "closer reflection" of the artist's "original vision" includes the cap Liberty wears along with her left eye being returned to the original appearance intended for the design's sculpted manifestation, the drapery of the American flag Liberty wears being “restored,” the shape of the sun’s rays cresting over the horizon being “restored,” and the fact that the font for the coin’s strike year of “2022” “emulates” the font used on the coin in 1916. The 2022 issue also includes the artist’s “traditional mark,” which is a small symbol composed of an intertwined “A” and “W” – Weinman’s initials. The mark appears in the lower right-side area of the coin’s obverse, just below the “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscription.

The Mint also notes that the revamped Silver Eagle features enhanced security details, such as "anti-counterfeit reeded edge variation," designed to combat the growing counterfeit initiatives.

The 2022 Silver American Eagle Type 2 Proof coin will be produced to the same specifications as in years past. These details include a $1 legal tender face value, precious metals contents of one troy ounce of 99.9% fine silver, and a 1.6-inch diameter.

Coin Highlights:

• Each coin is 1 Troy ounce of .999 fine silver
• Perfect Proof 70 condition
• Graded by NGC
• Hand-signed label by Ed Moy, 38th U.S. Mint Director
• Mirror-like finish
• Backed by the U.S. Government