TYPE I · 1986–2021
Heraldic eagle
Walking Liberty meets John Mercanti’s shield-bearing eagle: the foundation of the series, introduced in 1986.
Browse Type I years ↓
UNITED STATES MINT · SILVER BULLION
American
Silver Eagle
Every year is an identity.
Important years become a story.
42year/design identities
2design generations
One continuing series, not 42 separate stories. The register includes both designs dated 2021.
TWO GENERATIONS
The eagle makes the difference.
TYPE II · 2021–Present
Landing eagle
A refreshed Walking Liberty obverse pairs with Emily S. Damstra’s landing eagle, introduced in 2021.
Browse Type II years ↓2021
One year.
Two designs.
The date alone is not enough. Check the reverse.
2021 · Type I
Heraldic eagle
◇ Study reserved · media not readyA short history of the series
- 1986The bullion series begins with Walking Liberty and the heraldic eagle.
- 2021The original and new reverse designs share a date.
- Type II eraThe landing-eagle generation continues. This register extends through 2026.
SELECTED FOR A CLOSER LOOK
Two issues. Two turning points.
1986 · TYPE I
The beginning of a modern classic.
Read study →
2021 · TYPE II
A new eagle for a new generation.
Read study →Also reserved: 2020 Type I — deferred; 2021 Type I — media not ready. Neither is an available article.
COMPLETE SERIES REGISTER
Every identity has its place.
Most annual issues share the core design of their generation and remain part of the complete series register. Separate studies are reserved for design transitions and historically distinctive issues.
↗ Study available◇ Study reservedYear only = register entry
Type I 1986–2021 · 36 identities
- 1986 · Type I · Study available
- 1987 · Type I · Register only
- 1988 · Type I · Register only
- 1989 · Type I · Register only
- 1990 · Type I · Register only
- 1991 · Type I · Register only
- 1992 · Type I · Register only
- 1993 · Type I · Register only
- 1994 · Type I · Register only
- 1995 · Type I · Register only
- 1996 · Type I · Register only
- 1997 · Type I · Register only
- 1998 · Type I · Register only
- 1999 · Type I · Register only
- 2000 · Type I · Register only
- 2001 · Type I · Register only
- 2002 · Type I · Register only
- 2003 · Type I · Register only
- 2004 · Type I · Register only
- 2005 · Type I · Register only
- 2006 · Type I · Register only
- 2007 · Type I · Register only
- 2008 · Type I · Register only
- 2009 · Type I · Register only
- 2010 · Type I · Register only
- 2011 · Type I · Register only
- 2012 · Type I · Register only
- 2013 · Type I · Register only
- 2014 · Type I · Register only
- 2015 · Type I · Register only
- 2016 · Type I · Register only
- 2017 · Type I · Register only
- 2018 · Type I · Register only
- 2019 · Type I · Register only
- 2020 · Type I · Study reserved
- 2021 · Type I · Study reserved
Type II 2021–Present · 6 registered identities
- 2021 · Type II · Study available
- 2022 · Type II · Register only
- 2023 · Type II · Register only
- 2024 · Type II · Register only
- 2025 · Type II · Register only
- 2026 · Type II · Register only
Understanding the Silver Eagle
A shared obverse tradition
Both generations retain Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty. Type II refreshes its detail and includes his artist mark.
Read the reverse first
A frontal eagle with a shield identifies Type I; a realistic eagle coming in to land identifies Type II. For 2021, record the type as well as the year.
Bullion and collector editions
This register covers standard one-ounce bullion. Proof and burnished collector products, special privies and commercial grading labels are not extra annual identities here.
Further reading: U.S. Mint · Design history · Historical timeline · Bullion program
Coin photography: APMEX. Type I imagery shows the authorized 1986 example; Type II imagery shows the 2021 issue. No photograph is presented as a 2021 Type I coin.