2021-W 1oz Silver American Eagle Type 2 NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

Introduction

The 2021-W 1 oz American Silver Eagle Type 2 graded NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo is a perfect proof example from one of the most significant years in the history of the American Silver Eagle series. Certified PF70 Ultra Cameo by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), this West Point Mint issue features deeply mirrored fields and sharply frosted design elements characteristic of the Ultra Cameo designation. Containing one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, the coin also represents the first West Point proof release to feature the redesigned Type 2 Eagle Landing reverse.

History

The American Silver Eagle was introduced in 1986 following passage of the Liberty Coin Act of 1985. Created as the official silver bullion coin of the United States, the series quickly became one of the most recognizable modern American coin programs. Proof editions were produced specifically for collectors using specially prepared dies and planchets to create their distinctive finish.

The year 2021 marked the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle program and brought the first major redesign of the Silver Eagle since its introduction. Early 2021 coins retained John Mercanti's original heraldic eagle reverse and are now identified as Type 1. Later that year, the United States Mint introduced the Type 2 design featuring an eagle preparing to land while carrying an oak branch. The 2021-W Type 2 Proof Silver Eagle therefore represents the first West Point proof issue of the redesigned coin and the beginning of a new chapter in the series.

Design

The obverse retains Adolph A. Weinman's celebrated Walking Liberty design, originally created for the half dollar introduced in 1916. Liberty strides toward the rising sun while draped in the American flag and carrying branches of laurel and oak. For the Type 2 Silver Eagle, the United States Mint used modern technology and historical assets to more closely reflect Weinman's original artistic vision and restored his traditional AW monogram near Liberty's right foot.

The Type 2 reverse depicts a bald eagle preparing to land while carrying an oak branch in its talons. Designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by U.S. Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso, the design replaced John Mercanti's heraldic eagle reverse used from 1986 through the Type 1 issues of 2021. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER, and E PLURIBUS UNUM surround the eagle. The W mintmark identifies this proof as a product of the West Point Mint.