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Michael Gaudioso: The New American Silver Eagle Reverse Sculptor

By Ray James
The eagerly awaited new 2021 Silver Eagle reverse design created by Emily Damstra debuts in mid-2021. The new reverse design was scultped by Michael Gaudioso, but who is he and what exactly is his role in the new design?
Who is Michael Gaudioso?
Michael Gaudioso worked for over a decade at the U.S. Mint as a Medallic Artist, Sculptor, and Engraver. Notably, he is responsible for sculpting Emily Damstra’s new design, the Type 2 - 2021 Silver Eagle reverse. The new reverse marks the first time in the Silver Eagle series’ over 30 years of issue that the United States Mint has authorized a significant design change.
Michael Gaudioso graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the New York Academy Graduate School of Figurative Art in New York City. He studied in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the highly regarded Repin Institute. Gaudioso taught figure drawing at Villanova University and served as a master painter and designer for the prestigious Willet Hauser stained glass studio.
He recently retired from the U.S. Mint towards the end of 2020 after crafting numerous designs himself and sculpting designs by other United States Mint artists.


What Does a U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Do in the Coin Design Process?
U.S. Mint medallic artists can serve as the actual designer of the image used on the coin or medal. Typically, the design is handled either by an Artistic Infusion Program (A.I.P.) designer, or occasionally, coin designs are determined through a design contest with members of the public.
Medallic artists will collaborate with the designer to bring the coin and medal design to life most effectively. Coin designs are low-relief sculptures. The skillset used to make diverse designs is unique and challenging. The role of a Sculptor-Engraver is to bring the coin designer's vision to life on the coin or medal in a manner that translates to the physical striking of the coin.
For more information about the United States Mint's coin design process, read this Coin-Authority article.


The 2021 American Silver Eagle New Type 2 Reverse
The new reverse used on the American Silver Eagle coin depicts an American Bald Eagle as it lands on an oak branch. Inscriptions of “United States of America, “E Pluribus Unum,” “One Dollar,” and “1 oz. Fine Silver” encircle the image.
The image was designed by Emily Damstra of the U.S. Mint’s A.I.P. and sculpted by the subject of this profile Michael Gaudioso.
Gaudioso’s Designer credits
2018 Native American $1 Coin reverse
2015 Presidential $1 Coins Lyndon B. Johnson obverse
2014 Presidential $1 Coins Warren G. Harding obverse
2011 First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program Lucretia Garfield reverse
2011 Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal obverse
2008 Code Talkers Recognition Congressional Medals Program Ho-Chunk Nation obverse
2008 Code Talkers Recognition Congressional Medals Program Oglala Sioux Tribe obverse
Gaudioso’s Sculptor credits
2021 American Silver Eagle Coin Program reverse
2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Program Common obverse
2020 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin Program obverse
2019 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin and Silver Medal reverse
2019 American Legion Commemorative Coin Program Silver reverse
2019 American Innovation $1 Coin Program Georgia reverse
2018 World War I Centennial Silver Medal Marine Corps obverse
2018 World War I Centennial Silver Medal Navy obverse
2017 American Liberty High Relief 24-karat Gold Coin and Silver Medal reverse
2016 Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Program Silver obverse
2016 National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program Clad obverse
2015 Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March Congressional Gold Medal reverse
2015 U.S. Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Program Clad obverse
2015 March of Dimes Silver Dollar Coin obverse
2014 Civil Air Patrol Congressional Gold Medal reverse
2013 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin Program reverse
2013 Presidential $1 Coins William Howard Taft obverse
2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Program Gold obverse
2012 National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Silver Dollar Coin obverse
2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program Silver obverse
2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program Gold reverse
First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Program
2016 “Betty” Elizabeth Bloomer Ford obverse
2014 Lou Hoover obverse
2013 Edith Wilson obverse
2012 Frances Cleveland (First Term) reverse
2012 Caroline Harrison obverse
2011 Julia Grant obverse
Code Talkers Recognition Congressional Medals Program
2008 Pueblo of Acoma Tribe obverse
2008 Cherokee Nation obverse
2008 Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe obverse
America the Beautiful Quarters Program – A.T.B. Quarters
2020 Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park reverse
2019 War in the Pacific National Historical Park reverse
2018 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore reverse
2017 George Rogers Clark National Historic Park reverse
2012 El Yunque National Forest reverse
2011 Olympic National Park reverse
One of the final appearances of Mr. Gaudioso’s work is featured on the stunningly redesigned reverse of the new 2021 American Silver Eagle, which debuts in mid-2021.
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