Silver Eagle

The American "Silver Eagle" is a coin minted by the US government and certified by the US Mint to contain 99.9% silver. Since it is the "official silver bullion of the US" ^[1] and a good opportunity arose to obtain one, I went for it.

The obverse (front) of the coin features Lady Liberty in a walking pose. This design was the brainchild of Adolph A. Weinman, who immigrated to the US in the 1880s at the age of 14 and became a sculptor. His "Walking Liberty" design was used on the US half-dollar coin from 1916 to 1947. Since it was "one of the most beloved designs of any United States coinage of modern times," ^[1] it was revived on the Silver Eagle bullion in 1986.

The reverse (back) of the coin shows the silver eagle from which the coin derives its name. The iconic symbol is shielded, with arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, and is holding a banner in its beak with the Latin phrase "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one.") inscribed upon it. Above the eagle is a triangle of thirteen stars which represent the thirteen original colonies ("states") that banded together to form the union that became the USA.

The edge of this beautiful coin is reeded, meaning it has parallel lines slightly impressed all around the edge for a more "finished" and pleasing appearance.

Lady Liberty is actually a Roman Goddess, Libertas, the personification of the concept of liberty. ^[2] Detail of Her can be seen in the following closeup photo: