1988 - 1oz. - American Silver Eagle (BU)

Design of the 1988 Silver Eagle
 
The 1988 Silver Eagle is best known for the design on its obverse, which was created by Adolph Weinmann in 1916 for the half dollar. The design is known as Walking Liberty. Lady Liberty is the main object in the design, and she is shown walking toward the holder’s left. She has her right arm extended with her palm open and elbow bent. A portion of the American flag waves behind her in the upper left. In her left hand, she bears symbols of civilian and military honors, laurel and oak branches. The sun is shown setting behind a mountain in the lower left, and its rays emanate upward and outward. Under Liberty’s right foot is the year of mintage, “1988,” and the word “LIBERTY” arches over the entire design. On the right are the words of the national motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
On the reverse is an adaptation of the presidential seal that John Mercanti designed for the coin. At the top are thirteen stars arranged in a triangle that points down to an eagle. The eagle is spread around a thirteen-starred shield, which it is guarding. The number thirteen was used in reference to the original states. In its talons, the eagle grasps arrows and an olive branch, indicative of a willingness to fight for the county’s values and a preference for peace. The name of the issuing country, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” is inscribed along the top half of the rim, while “1 OZ. FINE SILVER~ONE DOLLAR” is inscribed along the bottom half