After quite a bit of hype the US Mint has now released the silver medallic counterparts for the 2017 225th Anniversary American Liberty coin.
USA 2017 225th Anniversary American Liberty Silver Medal Obverse
The medal is a near exact reproduction of the 225th American Liberty High Relief Gold coin that was released earlier in the year, as a part of the US Mint's 225th Anniversary celebrations.
USA 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar Obverse
The US Mint was first founded in 1792 in Philadelphia to produce a more unified circulating currency for the then fledgling nation. Ever since the first coins were struck at this modest facility the image of Liberty has featured as a prominent part of United States coin design. Some of the first coins to enter circulation were the Liberty Cap Half Cent pieces followed shortly by the other Liberty Cap designs such as the Half Dollar and Half Disme(half dime) coins. In 1794 the Flowing hair liberty Dollar was the first official silver dollar coin issued by the US Mint.
Over those 225 years the image of liberty has remained a constant on American coins, evolving and changing to reflect societal norms and trends over that time. The 2017 design was largely inspired by the Statue of Freedom, that crowns the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
USA 2017 225th Anniversary American Liberty Silver Medal Reverse
As this piece is only a medal, and as such has no legal tender status, the design is slightly altered from the $100 gold coin which is it's twin issue. The obverse, designed by US Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Justin Kunz, is virtually identical – missing only the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” from the bottom of the coin.
USA 2017 225th Anniversary American Liberty Silver Medal in Box
The reverse in turn depicts the same eagle featured on the gold coin, as designed by Chris Costello, but the only other inscriptions that appear along it are the words : “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” to the top in three lines. The “P” mint mark for the Philadelphia mint is seen to the left, and “CTC” and a stylised “MG” for the designer and engraver(Chris Costello and Michael Gaudioso) to the bottom.
The silver medal is also slightly larger at 40.6mm(1.598 inches) as opposed to the gold coin's 30.6mm(1.205 inch). The piece is struck from 1oz of pure .999 Fineness silver and is available to order directly from the US Mint's website for $59.95 each, with no order or production limit imposed.
USA 2017 225th Anniversary American Liberty Silver Medal Book
The silver medal is shipped in a matte black display box, very similar in appearance to the 225th American Liberty Gold Coin. Similarly also accompanied by a booklet detailing the history of Liberty on US coinage. The medal is treated to a proof finish that truly shines when set against the matted black packaging that it is housed in.
