Coins - 2008 American Legacy
Collection Proof Coins Set
In 2008, the outer cover of fourth American Legacy Collection Proof Coins Set shows a portion of the
American flag waving in the breeze. The US Mint continued their colors of silver and black for the outer
packaging.
Though the 2008 set had one less commemorative coin, the standard circulating coins including the
Presidential dollar coins and the five state quarters required the box to remain the larger size
introduced in 2007. The box dimensions stayed the same in height and width with the thickness being slightly
less. The set measures 11 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches by 1 3/8 inches. The middle closure of
the interior case also continues with magnetic fasteners.
On the front, the title states, "2008 United States Mint American Legacy Collection®" in silver. The spine
of the outer package also includes the title.
The outer slip case protects the inner display case covered with the same design and descriptive text
on the front and the left spine.
The inner case contains a built in easel to allow the proof coins set to stand upright for
displaying the coins.
The back of the inner package shows the proof coins set contents in two silver columns:
2008 United States Mint
American Legacy Collection®
Bald Eagle Silver Dollar
Presidential $1 Coins
James Monroe
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson
Martin Van Buren
Sacagawea Golden Dollar
Kennedy Half-Dollar
Jefferson Nickel
50 State Quarters®
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Arizona
Alaska
Hawaii
Roosevelt Dime
Lincoln Cent
In silver, the United States Mint seal and emblem complete the list.
Just inside the back frame, a black envelope enclosure holds the Certificate of
Authenticity for all of the proof coins.
Using the build-in easel, the front of the interior case opens to display the proof coins set. Each group of
coins is contained in its own protective holder which is snugly held in a black flocked, semi-rigid plastic
background. Indentations beside each protective lens allow the coins to be
removed for viewing the opposite side.
The left cover panel shows a proud and ever vigilant Bald Eagle in its glorious plumage before a muted and
blurred flag in the background. At the top, the text states, "2008 Bald Eagle Silver Dollar."
The 2008 Bald Eagle commemorative coins celebrated not only the national symbol but also the remarkable recovery
of the Bald Eagle. The right cover panel provides information about the Bald Eagle with several pictures
of the proud birds. The text states:
The Bald Eagle is one of the greatest visible symbols of the spirit of freedom and democracy in the
world.
America's strength, freedom and democracy are all symbolized in the image of a Bald Eagle soaring through
our spacious skies. The Bald Eagle's proud bearing has adorned the Great Seal of the United States since 1782,
representing to the world the American values of courage, spirit and equality.
Unique to North America, Bald Eagles are found in every state except Hawaii, and are especially abundant in
Alaska.
The Bald Eagle once came perilously close to extinction, and this national treasure was almost lost from our
skies forever.
Years of legal protection, hard work and vigilance by both public and private forces have succeeded in
ensuring the survival of our national symbol.
Once a rare sight, the Bald Eagle population is now so large that it no longer needs protection under the
Endangered Species Act.
With great celebration, the Bald Eagle was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007. Currently,
50,000 to 70,000 Bald Eagles call Alaska home, with an additional 10,000 nesting pairs found in the continental
United States.
The proud and beautiful Bald
Eagle can have a wing span of 72 to 85 inches for the male and 79 to 92 for the larger female. The
birds weigh an average of 10 to 14 pounds and have roughly 7000 feathers.
The obverse of the Bald Eagle commemorative silver dollar shows a proud bird in flight - perhaps taking
advantage of a thermal as it looks for prey.
The reverse of the Bald Eagle silver dollar contains another eagle as part of our Great Seal.
This eagle holds the olive branch in one set of talons and arrows in the other with a banner in its beak stating,
"E PLURIBUS UNUM."
The standard proof coins set in 2008 contained five coins: the penny, nickel, dime, half dollar
and golden dollar. The proof coins show a beautiful mirror-like surface around their individual
portraits.
In 2008, the reverse images for the five circulating coins' continued with the
traditional designs and edges, either plain or reeded.
All of the state quarters use the same obverse image of George Washington.
The 2008 quarters honored the 46th through 50th states with Oklahoma (46th, November 16, 1907), New
Mexico (47th, January 6, 1912), Arizona (48th, February 14, 1912), Alaska (49th, January 3,
1959) and Hawaii (50th, August 21, 1959).
In 2008, the United States Mint continued the Presidential Dollar Coins recognizing the fifth through
eighth Presidents. Each President's portrait is placed on the obverse of a golden dollar coin in the order in
which they served.
The second four included:
James Monroe, 5th President served 1817 - 1825
John Quincy Adams, 6th President served 1825 - 1829
Andrew Jackson, 7th President served 1801 - 1837
Martin Van Buren, 8th President served 1837 - 1841
The 2008 design for the Presidential dollar coins continued the lettered edge with "IN GOD WE TRUST,"
"E PLURIBUS UNUM," the date and the mint mark.
The lens protecting the Presidential dollar coins included space around each coin to be able to
view the lettered edge by tilting the lens.
All of the Presidential dollar coins have the same reverse of the Statue of Liberty holding her
torch high.
The beautiful, large display case shows off the fifteen proof coins set with the 2008 collection
of the circulating coins and the commemorative silver dollar produced by the US
Mint.
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