The 30th anniversary of the silver American Eagle will be marked by changing the edge of the proof and uncirculated collector versions with the “W” mintmark.
Instead of the usual reeding, the edge of the 2016 coins will feature incuse lettering similar in style to that on the Presidential dollar. Legislation authorizing the change was signed into law Dec. 4, but the actual wording for the edge was not specified. The change is effective for only one year.
Bullion silver Eagles of 2016 will continue to be minted with a reeded edge. Reeding will return to the edge of the collector Eagles in 2017.
The legislation also made some technical changes to American coinage, including changing standard silver alloy from “90 percent silver and 10 percent copper” to “not less than 90 percent silver.”
This article was originally printed in Numismatic News Express.
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