The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins marked the only commemorative coin series issued by the United States Mint that year. The program featured a release date of January 15th from the US Mint.
Issued as part of the 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Program were the following coins:
- 2008 Bald Eagle $5 Gold Coin
- 2008 Bald Eagle Silver Dollar
- 2008 Bald Eagle Half Dollar Clad Coin
The US Mint struck each of these to both proof and uncirculated condition really giving a total of six different strikes produced as part of the series. Each of the coins featured the standard specifications for similar commemoratives including the gold coins being composed of 90% gold and the silver dollars struck from 90% silver. Maximum mintages in place were 100,000 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 half dollar clad coins.
Congress authorized the coins with the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108-486).
The Bald Eagle $5 Gold Coin features an obverse showing two young eaglets perched on a branch. It was designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill. For the reverse, the current Great Seal of the United States is shown. The reverse was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
2008 Bald Eagle $5 Gold Coin (Proof and Uncirculated)
On the obverse of the Bald Eagle Silver Dollar, a mature eagle soaring through the sky is shown as designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The reverse depicts the 1782-1841 Great Seal of the United States. It was sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Jim Licaretz.
2008 Bald Eagle Silver Dollar (Proof and Uncirculated)
Finally, the obverse of the Bald Eagle Half Dollar Clad Coin was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna. It shows two young Eagle hatchlings in a nest along with another egg yet to hatch. The reverse depicts the legendary Bald Eagle "Challenger" as designed by AIP Associate Designer Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.
2008 Bald Eagle Half Dollar Clad Coins (Proof and Uncirculated)
Surcharges collected on the sale of these strikes was forwarded to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to continue its works.
