2008 American Bald Eagle commemorative program.

[ElleKitty]

 

United States Mint Unveils Designs for 2008 American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coins
Designs Honor Preservation of the Nation’s Emblem of Freedom and Democracy

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint released today the coin designs for the 2008 American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Program.  Public Law 108-486, the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue three commemorative coins in honor of the recovery of the Bald Eagle species, the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Bald Eagle's importance as a national symbol.

The United States Mint will mint and issue proof and uncirculated versions of the Bald Eagle Coins in a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar clad coin.  The obverse of the $5 gold coin was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill.  The design depicts young eaglets perched on a branch in their natural habitat.  The coin's reverse, sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, depicts an image of the current Great Seal of the United States as engraved in 1903.

The obverse of the $1 silver coin, designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, depicts a mature eagle soaring majestically through the sky.  The coin's reverse, sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Jim Licaretz, is based on a replica of the first Great Seal of the United States used between 1782 and 1841.

The obverse of the half-dollar clad coin, designed by Susan Gamble and executed by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna, depicts baby eaglets at about two to three days old, settled in a nest with an unhatched egg.  AIP Associate Designer Donna Weaver designed the coin's obverse, which features the legendary Bald Eagle "Challenger" with the American flag in the background.  The design was executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.

Mintage across each product option is limited to 100,000 for the $5 gold coin, 500,000 for the $1 silver coin and 750,000 for the clad half-dollar.  Surcharges collected from 2008 American Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Program sales, expected to begin on January 15, 2008, are authorized to be paid to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to continue its works.   

The Bald Eagle, unique to North America, was designated America's national emblem by the Founding Fathers on June 20, 1782, at the Second Continental Congress.  Once threatened with possible extinction in the lower 48 states, the Bald Eagle was classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.  Because of the success of numerous concerted recovery efforts, the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007.

http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#2008BaldEagle

[dustin43160]

i like the back of the first and last one and the front of the 2nd one but they are nice!!

[Humpybong]

WOW! Now they look like being great looking coins when they come out.

May have to ge me some One Dollar coins to go into my One Dollar Colletion.

Thanks for the information Kitty.  (now I gotta save more $$$$)

[Tobyle]

Mmmmm ..... nice. Particularly like the one dollar!

[CoinCrusader42]

Nice, and should be affordable.  At least the half dollar and dollar coin.

 

[henselen]

must have the gold before the others.  jay

[S.George]

 

Dear Kitty:

Nice design of the eagles.   No.1 and 2 have the reverse that we have seen, already.   So, I like the 3rd one.

Hope to get a $ coin.
George/India

[TwoShadows]

I actually prefer the 50 cent piece and its design and its a shame it won't be in silver? I will give the $1 coin my second vote for design. None the less I will have to get my paws on a few. Look like great trading material to me!

[Tobyle]

What would be the average issue price for a silver $1 of those specifications in the US?

[TwoShadows]

U.S. unc. and proof commemorative dollars usually run in the $35 range, give or take a buck or two, but with silver being in the $14 range now it will be interesting to see what the mint does charge.  I would hope the clad halves will be much more affordable in the $12 range but wouldn't venture a guess and there will be a difference between the proofs and uncs. prices.  Should know something soon as Jan. 15 is NOT that far off!

[Tobyle]

Thanks for that info, Twoshadows. A definite addition to my 'Gotta get' list!

[Humpybong]

Me 2.....have just added it to my want list......with the other hundreds of wants

[ElleKitty]

Dan, I think they're supposed to be fledgling eagles. Not quite full grown, but not chicks either, which probably accounts for the over-stuffed-ness.   Not to excuse the artist, mind.

[TwoShadows]

Oh! I thought the first one was Buzzards but I have noticed the head is not right!!! Old Dan you must remember those CITY folks at the mint don't get out much, at least OUT of town, and most of them probably think WILD LIFE is a party on Friday or Saturday night? Thats the best excuse I can think of?

[TwoShadows]

Still counting down the days until these halves will be released! Just hope they are close enough to the artist rendering when struck as many times the design gets lost in the actual minting process. If the relief is not good it will alter the appearance drastically. I am hoping the Mint can pull this one off as this is one of the most unique half dollars I have seen them produce in my lifetime.

[TwoShadows]

We all knew that was coming! I am still anxious to see what they will charge for these clad halves in both unc. and proof as we all know there is NO precious metal in a clad half. What we need to do is pool our money  and buy about 745,000 of the 750,000 available? We would control the market and drive prices? Probably need to call the Hunt brothers to get the ball rolling on this one?

[S.George]

 

Dear 2shadows:
Even, when Hunt Brothers hiked the price 1 ounce silver to $60 or more, I was collecting coins.
I never sell coins.
It is nice to know you talk about Hunt Brothers.
Sincerely
George

[TwoShadows]

Tick.....tick.....tick......tick......tick.....Counting down the days till I can finally get my hands on those 50 cent pieces.....Won't be long now.....tick.....tick.....tick

[TwoShadows]

These birds will begin their flight on Jan. 15th and now know the prices of the halves. We are looking at $7.95 for the BU Unc. version and $9.95 for the proof version of the halves. As expected the silver dollars have risen a few bucks with the unc. going for $35.95 and the proof at $39.95. These prices are pre-issue prices and will go up to normal retail levels, which is more, on February 14th so order early and save a few bucks!

[longnine009]

The Hunt brothers died. It was the only thing they couldn't screw up. 

[TwoShadows]

They probably would have fit right in to a management position at the U.S. Mint as NO ONE could make decisions WORSE than the ones they are making right now. What a joke!

[Melnme]

Did anyone buy it?

[TwoShadows]

I was going to but the lack of service, both online and the telephone, has discouraged me from buying anything from the mint! Pretty bad when we can get better service from a foreign government.

[Tpatna]

I got my order in

1. 2008 BALD EAGLE 3-COIN PRF SET (EA7) Qty 1 @ $369.95 - Backordered 02/03/08.  (limited to 25,000 units)

1. 2008 BE COIN AND MEDAL SET (EA9) Qty 1 @ $44.95 - Backordered 02/03/08. (limited to 50,000 units)

Was on hold for apx 45 mins....

[TwoShadows]

Old Dan I have tons of patience! (well most of the time)  I also know what CUSTOMER SERVICE is and the mere fact the U.S. Mint really doesn't care whether or not we buy anything from them really irks me! Guess it would be great to have such a business, and a monopoly at that, where sales means nothing towards your success or payday? And management decisions should play a role in their business but....when you shut down your online catalog and ordering system on the very day a new set of coins is released.....well again I have a problem with those kind of decisions. And the real clencher is the fact WE pay their salaries! Good ole taxpayers footing the bill!

[Goose]

Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.

[TwoShadows]

The U.S. Mint website is finally up and running so while I was there I might have accidently ordered some of the Eagle fifty cent pieces?

[TwoShadows]

Well I probably did but I felt someone needed to test their NEW website to make sure it was functioning properly!