The year 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle. In honor of this special “birthday,” the United States Mint has updated these popular silver bullion coins with a brand new reverse design for the very first time ever! The new Silver Eagle reverse design is the work of Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Emily Damstra and was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso. It displays a full image of a Bald Eagle coming in for a landing with an oak branch held in its talons as if to add to its nest. As the second design for 2021, these Silver Eagles coins have been given a Type 2 pedigree to differentiate them from the Type 1 coins that bear the original Mercanti Heraldic Eagle reverse design. It also represents a monumental year for the Silver Eagle Series with both a first AND a last in the same year of the Mint’s most popular coin.