2008 American Bald Eagle Coins: Prices, Designs and Information

Vibrant American Bald Eagle coin designs were released December 5th, 2007 and the US Mint pulled away the curtains to offer them for sale on January 15, 2008.

A $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin and a half-dollar clad coin all honor the American Bald Eagle in 2008. These three coins are also issued in special commemorate Proof and Uncirculated versions. Information, high quality coin images, prices and ordering information are below.

The half-dollar or $0.50 clad American Bald Eagle – designs, final coins, prices and mintage limits numbers

The obverse (face) of the half-dollar coin was designed by Donna Weaver with Charles Vickers sculpting. The coin’s reverse was sculpted by Joseph Menna and designed by Susan Gamble.

Mintage limits are set to a total of 750,000 for the proof and uncirculated versions. The price for these Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins are:

*Click the links to go to that United States Mint product and ordering information page. **These are introductory prices that last from 12:00 p.m. (ET) on January 15, 2008 through 5:00 p.m. (ET) on February 14, 2008. After the 14th, each product price will go up by $1.00.

These prices include a $3 surcharge for the American Eagle Foundation.

$1 silver American Bald Eagle – designs, final coins, prices and mintage limits

The obverse (front) of the $1 silver coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart.  The coin’s reverse, sculpted by Jim Licaretz, comes from a replica of the first Great Seal of the United States that was used between 1782 and 1841. 

Mintage limits are set to a total of 500,000 for the proof and uncirculated versions.
The price for these Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins are:

*Click the links to go to that United States Mint product and ordering information page. ** These are introductory prices that last from 12:00 p.m. (ET) on January 15, 2008 through 5:00 p.m. (ET) on February 14, 2008. After the 14th, the Proof Silver Dollar will be $43.95 and the Uncirculated Silver Dollar $37.95.

These prices include a $10 surcharge for the American Eagle Foundation.

$5 gold American Bald Eagle – designs, final coins, prices and mintage limits

The obverse (front) of the $5 gold coin sculpted by Phebe Hemphill and designed by Susan Gamble. The coin’s reverse was sculpted by Don Everhart and comes from an image of the 1903 engraved, Great Seal of the United States.

Mintage limits are set to a total of 100,000 for the proof and uncirculated versions. The price for these Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins are:

*Click the links to go to that United States Mint product and ordering information page. ** These are introductory prices that last from 12:00 p.m. (ET) on January 15, 2008 through 5:00 p.m. (ET) on February 14, 2008. After the 14th, the Proof $5 Gold coin will be $319.95 and the Uncirculated $5 Gold coin $309.95.

These prices include a $35 surcharge for the American Eagle Foundation.

2008 American Bald Eagle Sets – prices and mintage limits

In addition to the product offerings above, the Mint also has several interesting sets for sale:

*Click the links to go to that United States Mint product and ordering information page. **

Additionally, later this year, the annual United States Mint American Legacy Collection™ will feature a Bald Eagle Proof Silver Dollar.

The law responsible for the 2008 American Bald Eagle coins and mintage limits

Public Law 108-486, the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act, set everything into motion for these new coins. The coins are meant to commemorate:

• The recovery and restoration of the American Bald Eagle
• The Bald Eagle’s importance as "the national symbol of the United
  States, to America’s lands, waterways, and skies"
• The 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973

A PDF of the law is available for reading further details of the commemorative coin program.

The U.S. Mint’s press release for the American Bald Eagle coin announcement

How are Bald Eagles doing? A section in the US Mint’s press release announcing the designs summarizes the success the eagles have been experiencing:

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.

Additional Mint order information

In addition to using the above links for each product, you can visit the Mint commemorative coin and medal order and information page. You can also place orders via their toll free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).