Coins - Young Collectors
Edition Coin Sets - 2008 Bald Eagle
In 2008, the United States Mint celebrated the removal of the Bald Eagle from the endangered species
list with an uncirculated clad half dollar in their Young Collectors Edition Coin Sets
.
This coin set package is similar to the earlier coin sets in size and design. The set
measures six inches by six inches by 1/4 inch. The coin set arrives with a shrink-wrapped clear
cover.
The outer sleeve is constructed of card stock printed in color, and the inner package, also
of color card stock, is folded around with several surfaces to provide information to the collector.
On the front of the package, Jeremiah, Christina and Charlie hiking in a forest look spot a bald eagle
perched on a bare tree branch. They observe the beautiful eagle while Christina prepares to photograph the proud
bird.
"United States Mint" shows over the blue sky on the upper left of the package. "Bald Eagle Young Collector's
Set" is printed over the trees in the forest. At the bottom of the package, "Half Dollar Commemorative Coin"
describes the coin inside.
On the back of the outer package Jeremiah and Christina lean against a grease board with the image of
an eagle in the background and the Certificate of Authenticity in the foreground which states:
Certificate of Authenticity
The 2008 Bald Eagle Commemorative
Uncirculated Clad Half-Dollar Coin
This certifies that this coin is a genuine Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin struck in accordance with
legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President on December 23, 2004, as public Law 108-486.
Produced by the United States Mint, this coin is legal tender of the United States.
Edmund C. Moy, Director. United States Mint
Specifications
Date: 2008
Mint: San Francisco
Condition: Uncirculated
Weight: 11.340 grams
Diameter: 1.205 inches
Composition: 8.33% Nickel, Balance Copper
Obverse Design: Baby Eaglets in Nest
Reverse Design: Bald Eagle "Challenger" with American Flag
The US Mint's logo, web site and information are centered along the bottom of the package.
The Young Collectors coin sets open from the edge. The inner contents easily slide out.
The interior coin package front looks very much the same as the outer package but without the clear
shrink-wrap.
On the back of the interior coin package, the eagle surveys the surrounding forest. The content
states:
Conserving America's National Symbol:
Once, Bald Eagles like Challenger were endangered. Today, about 10,000 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles, more than
25 times as many as 40 years ago, can be found throughout the continental United States. This does not include
Alaska, where an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Bald Eagles live and have never been endangered.
The US Mint's colorful logo and other information can be found along the bottom of the back
cover.
Unfolded once, the coin package contains multiple surfaces on which to provide information along with the
uncirculated clad half dollar coin.
Unfolded again, the contents show more information and another scene with the
eagles.
On the left section, two text boxes state:
Facts About The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is the only eagle that lives JUST in North America. It is a large, powerful, brown bird with a
white head and tail. But this bird is not actually bald at all! The word "bald" in its name comes from the word
piebald, an old word which means "marked with white."
The Bald Eagle vs. The Turkey
When the United States was a new country, Benjamin Franklin suggested that our national symbol should be the
wild turkey! Eventually, our Founding Fathers decided to make the majestic and handsome Bald Eagle the national
symbol of the United States in 1782.
On the right, the reverse of coin forms the head of the eagle perched on a tree. The comment box tells of
Challenger:
A Bald Eagle Named Challenger
Challenger is a special Bald Eagle whose head you see on this side of the coin. When Challenger was a baby, a
storm blew him from his nest, so he was raised by the people who found him. Unfortunately, this made him unable
to survive on his own in the wild. He now lives in a place that is dedicated to saving and protecting the Bald
Eagles. Challenger has a very important job teaching people about Bald Eagles and why we need to help restore
and protect them. Challenger is the very first Bald Eagle in America to free-fly around sports stadiums during
the National Anthem and at many other types of events — even at the White House!
Unfolded again, the top section provides more information:
The Bald Eagle Becomes Endangered ... For many years, people hunted Bald Eagles and
destroyed parts of their habitat. Also, certain pesticides made many Bald Eagle eggs break before they could
hatch. By 1973, very few Bald Eagles were in existence, so the U.S. Government put the bird on the Endangered
Species List.
... And The Bald Eagle Recovers! Many public and private organizations — as
well as many ordinary American citizens — worked hard to save the Bald Eagle. The U.S. Government
also assisted by banning the use of certain pesticides, among other actions. Over time, these efforts helped
the Bald Eagle's numbers begin to grow. Today, thanks to conservation work all over America, the Bald Eagle is
no longer endangered!
At the bottom, the Bald
Eagle commemorative half dollar's obverse with its eaglets sits in a nest.
The message reads:
Baby Bald Eagles Are Called "Eaglets" Bald Eagle nests can be 10 feet across and weigh
as much as 2,000 pounds! Female bald Eagles lay 2 or 3 eggs each year, and the eggs hatch after about a month.
Three months after being born, eaglets are strong enough to fly!
The coin's obverse (heads) shows two eaglets along with an unhatched egg in their nest.
The coin's reverse (tails) shows Challenger holding his head proudly in front of an American flag blowing
in the breeze.
The US Mint tucked instructions inside the package showing how to rotate the coin such that
Challenger's head and the eaglets are positioned correctly in their story boards.
Through coins, especially commemorative coins, the US Mint honors and recognizes people, places and events.
Collecting those coins shares that knowledge.
You can enjoy collecting these coins either through the Young Collectors Edition coin
sets, commemorative coin sets or individual commemorative coins.
|