Originally the United States Mint announced on Oct. 1 they planned to unveil the new reverse design for the 2021 American Silver Eagle in midyear 2021. Mint officials were silent on how the design transition will be conducted before the new coin was released.

Now, Mint officials confirm that, when sales of the American Eagle silver bullion coin begins in January, authorized purchasers will receive coins bearing the original obverse and reverse designs as introduced in 1986.

“The Mint will continue to strike and sell bullion coins that feature the original designs until the coins with the new reverse designs are released,” U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White said Oct. 21. “We anticipate bullion coins with new designs will be released in mid-2021.”

U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White announced that the American Silver Eagles in calendar year 2021 with the new reverse will be issued mid-year in the following collector options:

Proof 2021-W and 2021-S 1-ounce .999 fine silver $1 coins.

Uncirculated 2021-W American Eagle silver $1 coin.

Design options:

2021 American Eagle silver dollars will also be released bearing a refreshed rendition of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty half dollar obverse from 1916 paired with former U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti’s original Heraldic Eagle reverse from 1986.

Weinman’s obverse will be retained for the bullion and Proof collector versions to be introduced in mid-2021 with the new reverse.

The new silver reverse by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Emily Damstra depicts a single eagle coming in for a landing, carrying an oak branch as if to add it to a nest, according to the Mint.

Damstra’s design was sculpted by Mint medallic artist Michael Gaudioso before his retirement.

The new reverse of the American Eagle silver coin was favored by the Commission of Fine Arts for the American Eagle gold bullion coin.

The new design is being introduced in conjunction with the implementation of anti-counterfeiting technology during production.

Previously, Mint officials had said that only the bullion coins would get design changes in 2021; numismatic designs would not be changed until 2022. This is updated information changing original news that the 2020 Proof American Silver Eagle is the last with the Mercanti Reverse. Now the John Mercanti reverse will see a limited run on the 2021 production changing mid-year.