NGC has discovered that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles have been struck with two different reverse types. Many are aware that Silver Eagles issued in 2008 show numerous subtle modifications to their design. NGC has now confirmed that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles were also struck using reverse dies of the pre-modification style, or reverse type of 2007.

The two reverse styles are very easy to distinguish from one another. As NGC previously reported, the most obvious identification diagnostic is the U of UNITED on the coin’s reverse. On the Reverse of 2008, the U has a spur on the right side of the letter. The Reverse of 2007, has simply a bowl-shaped U, without spur or downstroke. A number of other diagnostics are evident and are illustrated below.

NGC is designating 2008-W Silver Eagles with reverse style of 2007 as REVERSE OF 2007. Coins of the newly modified style, or Reverse of 2008, are encapsulated without designation. “This is a significant hub variety,” comments Rick Montgomery, NGC President. “It has very clear diagnostics, and appears on one of the most widely collected of all US coins. We’re also very proud to be the first to present this information to the numismatic community and to attribute the variety as part of the NGC certification process.”

Read Full Article by NGC on the Discovery

Media are invited to watch as an eaglet is released into the wild in Douglas Lake, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Entertainer Dolly Parton will pull a rope to open a door to an artificial nest where the 14-week-old eaglet has been raised by the American Eagle Foundation. United States Mint Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, Gloria Eskridge, and Al Cecere, the founder and president of the AEF, will be on hand for the release.

The United States Mint, pursuant to an Act of Congress, is issuing a limited edition of commemorative coins in 2008 to celebrate the recovery of the Bald Eagle and its status as our national emblem. The United States Mint is authorized to pay qualifying surcharges, collected from the sales of these coins, to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to further its work.

Just 35 years ago, the Bald Eagle, chosen in 1782 to be the Nation’s emblem, was on the brink of extinction. Now, it has made a remarkable recovery with 10,000 nesting pairs located around the nation. The Bald Eagle was removed from the List of Threatened and Endangered Species in 2007. (more…)

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico, the “Land of Enchantment,” marked the release of its commemorative quarter-dollar into circulation at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe today. United States Mint Director Ed Moy joined Governor Bill Richardson in handing out shiny New Mexico quarter-dollars to children under 18 who attended the launch. The Santa Fe All-Stars entertained the crowd.

“The New Mexico quarter’s Zia sun symbol design speaks to your State’s history and diversity,” Director Moy told the crowd. “Your quarter will be immediately recognizable and serve New Mexico as an ambassador to the Nation.”

The New Mexico quarter-dollar goes into circulation across the country today. The United States Mint estimates it will produce about 500 million New Mexico quarters. After the ceremony, the public lined up to be among the first to exchange their bills for $10 rolls of New Mexico quarters.

On the eve of the launch, the public attended a free Coin Collectors Forum at the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, hosted by Director Moy. The forum provided an opportunity for the public to let United States Mint officials know what they would like to see on U.S. coinage in the future. (more…)