2015 Pluto Discoveries Water on Mars $1 American Silver Eagle GEM

2015 Pluto Discoveries Water on Mars $1 Silver Eagle 1oz Gem BU

Special Edition Exclusive Label by National Coin Grading LLC (NCG)

In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft (informally known as Sputnik Planitia) flew by Pluto and made many discoveries about the icy dwarf planet. It was found that Pluto has the largest known glacier in the solar system. It was the first time scientists were able to clearly photograph what the planet looked like. NASA scientists also made several discoveries about Mars, including liquid water, ancient lakes, and underground water. These discoveries increased the likelihood of finding life on Mars.

The American Silver Eagle is considered one of the most popular coins worldwide. The creation of these iconic 1 Troy oz of .999 fine silver coins was authorized through the Liberty Coin Act of 1985, and production began in 1986. Known to many as the official bullion coin of the United States, a redesign was introduced by the US Mint in 2021. The original obverse design, based on Adolph A. Weinman’s 1916 “Walking Liberty” half dollar, has been updated with the help of modern technology. Now, as a closer reflection of Weinman’s original design, the obverse includes the addition of the traditional artist’s mark on the coin itself. As with the obverse, the reverse of the Silver Eagle also received an update in design. Before the summer of 2021, the design was that of the heraldic eagle of the United States, which was created by the former Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, John Mercanti. This design features an American bald eagle behind a heraldic shield with arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The new reverse design, also known as “Eagle Landing,” shows an eagle approaching a landing, carrying an oak branch to add to a nest. This new reverse design was created by one of the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program designers, Emily Damstra.