In 2008 to celebrate the recovery of the American Bald Eagle from near-extinction and to also celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, Congress decided to authorize a set of three coins – a Clad Half Dollar, a Silver Dollar, and a Five Dollar Gold coin.
The obverse of the Clad Half Dollar was designed by Susan Gamble, and it was sculpted by the US Mint’s Now-Chief Engraver Joseph Menna. The half dollar depicted two baby eaglets sitting in their nest along with an unhatched egg. The next is huddled in a tree and above the eaglets is the word “LIBERTY” and the date “2008” separated by a five-pointed star. Below the word “LIBERTY” is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse of this coin was designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Charles Vickers. It depicts a Bald Eagle, who was nicknamed Challenger, in a profile view, superimposed over an American flag. His name “CHALLENGER” appears at the upper periphery, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to the left of the flag and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” just below the flag. The lower periphery displays the date “2008.” Challenger was chosen as he was a Bald Eagle who had been trained to free fly at numerous major events when the National Anthem was being played.
(A 2008-S Bald Eagle Clad Half Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse {left], Reverse [right])
The Clad Half Dollar was struck in both Uncirculated and Proof finishes at the San Francisco Mint and both types bear the “S” mintmark. The coins were sold individually and in two-coin sets. The Proof versions were also included in a three-coin Set and the Uncirculated Half Dollar was included in a Coin and Medal set and a Young Collector’s Set. The Proof version of the clad Half Dollar was included as part of the 14-piece 2008 American Legacy Proof Set.
(A 2008-S Bald Eagle Clad Half Dollar, Proof, Obverse {left], Reverse [right])
The maximum authorized mintage was 750,000 coins across both types. The surcharge for the program went to benefit the American Eagle Foundation to support the work that they do with preserving habitats for our National Emblem – the American Bald Eagle.
The American Bald Eagle Silver Dollar was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by the US Mint’s Don Everhart. Joel depicted a majestic and mature Bald Eagle in flight with wings outstretched and a mountain in the background. The upper periphery bears the word “LIBERTY,” and the lower periphery has the date “2008.” To the right, above the mountain is the motto “IN GOG WE TRUST.”
The reverse was sculpted by Jim Licaretz and depicts the early version of the Great Seal of the United States that was in use between 1782 and 1841. It has a small eagle with an American shield emblazoned across his chest. One claw holds arrows, the other claw holds an oak branch and in its beak is a banner with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on it. In the outer loop at the upper periphery is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” while on the lower periphery is the denomination “ONE DOLLAR.”
(A 2008-P American Bald Eagle Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
The Bald Eagle Silver Dollar was struck in both Uncirculated and Proof versions at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins were sold individually, and within several specialized sets.
(A 2008-P American Bald Eagle Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
Congress also authorized a third coin for the American Bald Eagle Commemorative coin set. This time it was a Five Dollar Gold coin. The obverse was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by the Mint’s Phebe Hemphill. Gamble’s obverse features two young bald eagles perched on a branch. Above them, on the upper periphery is the word “LIBERTY” and between them is the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Below them is the date “2008” of striking.
The reverse depicts the current, stylized version of the Great Seal of the United States of America, as sculpted by Don Everhart. The upper periphery has “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” while the lower periphery bears the denomination “FIVE DOLLARS.” The banner in the eagle’s beak bears the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
(A 2008-W American Bald Eagle Five Dollar Gold Coin, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
The Five Dollar Gold Coin was struck in both Uncirculated and Proof finishes at the West Point Mint. They were sold individually or in numerous sets as mentioned above.
| Date | Mintmark | Denomination | Type | Mintage | Value |
| 2008 | S | Clad Half Dollar | Uncirculated | 120,180 | $25 |
| 2008 | S | Clad Half Dollar | Proof | 220,577 | $30 |
| 2008 | P | Silver Dollar | Uncirculated | 119,204 | $65 |
| 2008 | P | Silver Dollar | Proof | 294,601 | $65 |
| 2008 | W | Five Dollar Gold | Uncirculated | 15,009 | $540 |
| 2008 | W | Five Dollar Gold | Proof | 59,269 | $550 |
| 2008 | Mixed | 3 Coin Proof Set | Proof | Included | $600 |
| 2008 | P | Coin & Medal Set | Uncirculated | Included | $25 |
| 2008 | S | Young Collectors Set | Uncirculated | Included | $50 |
| 2008 | Mixed | American Legacy Set | Proof | Included | $100 |
