A flying eagle design reminiscent of the reverse of the Standing Liberty quarter will be one of three new obverse designs for next year?s 50-cent, $1 and $5 bald eagle commemorative coins. Sales begin Jan. 15, 2008.
The flying eagle will be featured on the silver dollar paired with a reverse that depicts the Great Seal of the United States as it appeared from 1782-1841.
The design was created by Artistic Infusion Program master designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart. The reverse was done by Mint medallic sculptor Jim Licaretz.
An obverse design of hatchlings and an egg for the 50-cent piece was done by AIP master designer Susan Gamble and rendered by Mint medallic sculptor Joseph Menna. It is paired with a reverse that looks like an obverse portraying bald eagle ?Challenger,? with an American flag behind. This was done by Mint sculptor-engraver Charles Vickers.
Obverse design of the commemorative $5 design shows young eaglets on a branch. It was done by Gamble and Mint sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill. The reverse shows the Great Seal of the United States as engraved in 1903. It was executed by Everhart.
No prices have been announced yet, but maximum mintages will be 100,000 $5 coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half dollars.
A surcharge of $35 will be applied to the $5, $10 to the silver dollar and $3 to the half dollar. Surcharge income will go to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee.
The coins commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Check the Mint Web site at www.usmint.gov for more information.
