The United States Mint has released the line art for the new Reverse designs for the 2021 American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins. As previously reported, the gold and silver Eagle’s will be getting updates as the program reaches is 35th year next year.
The 2021 American Eagle gold Reverse design was designed by Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Jennie Norris. The Reverse will be scuttled by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.
The American Eagle silver Reverse for 2021 was designed by AIP designer Emily Damstra. It will be sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso.
As readers will note from the above line art, these Reverse designs are a significant departure from the current designs on the American Eagle. Note that the Obverse (Heads) of both coins will remain the same.
The United States Mint has already said that the 2021 Eagles that the Reverse change will integrate security enhancements. Counterfeiting of these coins has increasingly become an issue as counterfeiters themselves have become increasingly more sophisticated in their dark art. In recent years, an influx of bogus silver Eagles have flooded into the country, most notably from China. The Mint wants to curb that if not stop it all together.
What exactly those anti-counterfeiting measures are that the Mint implements is not clear. Officials have, understandably, been quiet about what will be done. It is possible that techniques used by other Mints around the world could be used. For example, the Royal Canadian Mint uses micro engraving on the silver and gold Maple Leaf bullion coins as well as each die for the coins having a textured Maple Leaf on it. Similar features could make their way to the American Eagle and then will likely make their way into other bullion coins.
What all this means of course is that for the first time in 35 years, the American Eagle silver coin will have a new Reverse, making the 2020 issues the last of the current design. While it is unlikely that fact will be a significant premium, many collectors will want to get the 2020 coins as the final year of the design.
You can check out the current Eagles available on the Mint’s site.
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