Celebrating the Repopulation of the National Bird of the United States With Commemorative Coins
In 2008, to celebrate the recovery of the American Bald Eagle from near-extinction and the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, Congress authorized a set of three bald eagle commemorative coins: a clad half dollar, a silver dollar, and a five-dollar gold coin.
2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Clad Half Dollar
The obverse of the 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Clad Half Dollar was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Joseph Menna. The clad half dollar depicted two baby bald eaglets sitting in their nest along with an unhatched egg. The nest 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 L. Vickers. It depicts a bald eagle, nicknamed Challenger, in profile, 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 reverse periphery displays the denomination “HALF DOLLAR.” Challenger was chosen to be represented on the coins because Challenger had been trained to free-fly at numerous major events.
The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Clad Half Dollar was struck in uncirculated and proof finishes at the San Francisco Mint, and both types bear the “S” mintmark. The clad half dollar was sold individually in proof and uncirculated finishes. The proof clad half dollar was included in the three-coin proof set, and the uncirculated clad half dollar was included in the Young Collector’s Set. Separately, the Coin and Medal Set included an uncirculated Bald Eagle Silver Dollar, and the 2008 American Legacy Collection included the proof Bald Eagle Silver Dollar.
(2008-S Bald Eagle Commemorative Clad Half Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right])
(2008-S Bald Eagle Commemorative Clad Half Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right])
2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar
The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver One Dollar’s obverse was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart. A bald eagle is in flight within a mountain range. 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 GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse was designed and sculpted by Jim Licaretz and depicts the early version of the Great Seal of the United States. This seal design was in use between 1782 and 1841. In the seal design, a small eagle flies with an American shield emblazoned across its chest. One claw holds arrows, the other claw holds an olive 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.” The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar was struck in uncirculated and proof versions at the Philadelphia Mint. The coins were sold individually and within several specialized sets.
(A 2008-P Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
(A 2008-P Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar, Proof, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Gold Five Dollar Coin
The obverse was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by 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 strike date, “2008.”
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 Bald Eagle Commemorative Gold Five Dollar Coin, Uncirculated, Obverse [left], Reverse [right].)
The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative Gold Five Dollar Coin was struck in uncirculated and proof finishes at the West Point Mint. They were sold individually or in numerous sets as mentioned above.
The maximum mintages across all product options for these commemorative coins were limited to 100,000 for the $5 gold coin, 500,000 for the silver dollar, and 750,000 for the clad half dollar. The surcharge benefited the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) of Tennessee, which supports its work to preserve habitats for the American Bald Eagle. Add this coin to your collection and explore other U.S. silver modern commemorative coins and modern U.S. gold commemorative coins.
