Annual Set Includes Four Presidential $1 Coins and the Final Five Coins in the 50 State Quarters® Program

WASHINGTON - Twenty-eight satin-finished coins, in beautiful packaging, priced at $22.95. Who could ask for more? Customers can purchase the 2008 United States Mint Uncirculated Set beginning July 30, 2008, at noon Eastern Time.

The 2008 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set is composed of two folders of 14 coins bearing the “P” and “D” mint marks of the United States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver. Each folder includes uncirculated versions of the four Presidential $1 Coins honoring James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren; the final five commemorative quarter-dollar coins in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program, honoring Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii; and the Lincoln cent (penny), Jefferson 5-cent coin (nickel), Roosevelt dime, Kennedy half-dollar, and Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea.

Uncirculated coins are struck on special presses using greater force than that used to strike circulating coins. The resulting image is sharp and intricately detailed, and features a satin finish. The 28 coins are sealed in blisters and displayed in attractive folders enhanced with scenic views of Philadelphia and Denver.

Customers who wish to add this set to their collections should visit the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov. Orders also will be accepted at the toll-free number, 1-800- USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Please add a $4.95 shipping and handling fee to all domestic orders. (more…)

Second Product in United States Celebration Series Features American Buffalo and American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins

Washington - The second special numismatic product in the United States Mint Celebration Series will be available for purchase beginning noon Eastern Time on August 1, 2008. The 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set, priced at $1298.95, features one 24-karat American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin and one 22-karat American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin.

The United States Mint Celebration Series, launched in February 2008, is a new initiative to explore the feasibility of introducing various numismatic coin products that are packaged and positioned to celebrate special gift-giving occasions and celebratory events.

The number “8″ is traditionally associated with prosperity in Asian cultures. The triple “8″ date is highly significant as it occurs only once every 100 years.

The American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin is one of the newly released fractional weight options in the expanded American Buffalo Coin Program. The coin bears the classic portrait of a Native American in profile on the obverse and the magnificent American Buffalo, or bison, on the reverse. Noted American sculptor James Earle Fraser, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally prepared both images for the redesigned five-cent coin (nickel) released in 1913.

The American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin displays Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ enduring full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The coin’s reverse, by Miley Busiek, bears the endearing image of a male eagle clutching an olive branch while soaring above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.

Both coins in the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set are legal tender with a nominal face value designation of $25. But their gold metal content and artistry make them worth far more. Inscriptions on the coins include the “W” mint mark for the United States Mint at West Point, the date, the fineness and the weight. The coins are packaged in an attractive hardwood box with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by United States Mint Director Ed Moy. (more…)

Final Coin in Three-Year Series Honors Judicial Branch of United States Government

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint began accepting orders for the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins on July 1, at 12:00 noon (ET). There is no household limit for these options.

The 2008 coin’s reverse features the final design in the three-year series entitled, “The Foundations of American Democracy.” This final design honors the Judicial branch of the United States Government. The image depicts a rendition of Lady Justice, a classic symbol dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The scales, suspended from a finger of her right hand, represent the delicate balance of the law. A sword, held in her left hand, represents the power of reason, which can be wielded in either direction. The bald eagle-our Nation’s symbol of courage and freedom-casts a watchful eye over our solid foundation of democracy.

The coin’s reverse was sculpted by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.

The obverse of the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins, designed and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti, bears the image of Lady Liberty who has graced the coins since their introduction in 1986. (more…)

Design Candidates for 2009 American Eagle Platinum Proof Reverse Slated for Review

Public Invited to Share Opinions in Open Forum

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) will hold a public meeting at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) on Friday, August 1, 2008, at the Baltimore Convention Center at One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, the site of this year’s American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct business related to the CCAC’s responsibility to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on themes and designs pertaining to United States coinage.

“Every year the members of the CCAC look forward to meeting at the ANA convention, because it’s a great opportunity to interact with the numismatic community,” noted CCAC Chairman Mitch Sanders. “We hope that any interested numismatists will come to our meeting and forum to see the coin design process in action, and especially to let us know their opinions about American coin design.”

Agenda (subject to change):

* Review design candidates for the reverse of the 2009 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin and privy mark candidate designs for the series
* Public Forum to hear comments and suggestions will immediately follow meeting
* Other general business. (more…)