2008 American Bald Eagle Coins

I think part of my pay check should go to the United States Mint as each year I find one or two coin sets that interest me (and hopefully Benjamin when he gets older) in addition to my regular orders. This year it is the American Bald Eagle coins (click picture for a larger view) and I received the set I ordered today. These are beautiful coins and are available this year only. I ordered the half dollar and dollar coins.

What I like is a portion from the sale of each coin will be used for a special American Eagle Fund endowment managed by a not-for-profit organization called The American Eagle Foundation (See link below). The coin program could generate over $10 million for the eagle protection cause.

The coins show both natural and historical Bald Eagle images and emblems. The half dollar interested me as the U.S. Mint is targeting this at young collectors. It features the profile of the Bald Eagle Challenger on one side and two baby eaglets in their nest on the opposite side. Challenger is a 19-year-old non-releasable bird cared for by the American Eagle Fund and is internationally known for his spectacular free-flight educational appearances at high-profile sporting events and ceremonies all over the US.

From the Mint's press release, 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 little history from the U.S. Mint's press release as follows:
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.

The American Bald Eagle Recovery & National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 4116) was signed into law by President George W. Bush in December 2004, to celebrate and further aid the recovery of the American Eagle.

If interested in ordering, please check out the U.S. Mint web site

The American Eagle Foundation web site.

I like ordering from the U.S. Mint web site as it is very efficient and I've never had a problem with an order. When you have a large family as we do, their coins make great gifts for young kids.