Who is Mint Designer Emily S. Damstra?

Emily Damstra is an accomplished artist and graphic designer, known for her unique and striking visual style.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Damstra developed a passion for art and design at a young age. She studied at the prestigious Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, where she honed her skills in graphic design and illustration.

After graduation, Damstra began working as a freelance designer, quickly building a reputation for her bold and experimental approach to design. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from small startups to large corporations, creating visual identities, packaging designs, and marketing materials that stand out from the crowd.

One of the things that sets Damstra apart is her use of vibrant, eye-catching colors and bold typography in her designs. Her work often features abstract shapes and patterns, which she combines with carefully chosen typography to create a striking and dynamic visual style.

In addition to her design work, Damstra is also an accomplished fine artist. She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums across Europe, and her paintings and illustrations have been featured in numerous publications.

Despite her success, Damstra remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to push herself to try new things and explore new techniques, always striving to create work that is fresh, exciting, and visually compelling.

Overall, Emily Damstra is a highly talented and respected artist and designer, known for her unique and striking visual style. Her work has been recognized and appreciated for its boldness and experimentation, her passion for design is evident in her work, and she is sure to continue making a significant impact in the art and design community.

In addition to her work as a freelance artist and designer, Emily Damstra has also had the opportunity to work with the United States Mint. She was selected as a finalist for the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program in 2016, which aims to bring new and diverse perspectives to the design of U.S. coins and medals.

As part of the program, Damstra had the opportunity to work with the Mint's engravers and designers to create designs for various coin and medal programs, including the America the Beautiful Quarters Program and the First Spouse Gold Coin Program. Her designs were featured on multiple coins, including the 2018 Voyageurs National Park Quarter and the 2019 Lowell National Historical Park Quarter. 

The opportunity to work with the United States Mint was a significant milestone in Damstra's career and helped to raise her profile within the numismatic community. Her designs for the Mint were well-received by collectors and the public alike, and her work continues to be sought after by coin enthusiasts. In particular, her most significant contribution is her design of the reverse side of the Type 2 silver eagle established in 2021. This was the first time since the start of the silver eagle in 1986 that the design has been changed. 

The experience with the United States Mint also allowed Damstra to showcase her artistic abilities to a wider audience and her designs on the coins are considered as a valuable addition to any numismatist's collection. Damstra's experience working with the Mint also demonstrated her versatility as a designer, as she was able to adapt her style to the specific requirements of coin design while still maintaining her unique aesthetic.

Emily Damstra currently signs with PCGS exclusively. Her signature is considered to be highly sought after due to her design on the new silver eagle. As time goes on, it is anticipated that her signature will be on par with that of John Mercanti who designed and engraved the original silver eagle reverse.