Dandridge, Tennessee — On April 10, at 8 a.m. (ET), Gloria C. Eskridge, the United States Mint’s Associate Director for Sales and Marketing, and country music legend Dolly Parton released back into the wild a young eaglet rescued by the American Eagle Foundation. The release, led by Al Cecere, founder and president of the American Eagle Foundation, took place in a ceremony at Douglas Lake located in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains.
“We are proud to be part of this historic day and the creation of these beautiful commemorative coins that further the recovery efforts of our Nation’s symbol of freedom,” said Ms. Eskridge.
In honor of the recovery of the Bald Eagle species, the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Bald Eagle’s importance as a national symbol, Public Law 108–486, the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the United States Mint to mint and issue three commemorative coins.
The United States Mint is currently issuing proof and uncirculated versions of the Bald Eagle Coins in a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half–dollar clad coin. The obverse of the $5 gold coin design depicts young eaglets perched on a branch in their natural habitat. The coin’s reverse depicts an image of the current Great Seal of the United States as engraved in 1903.
The obverse of the $1 silver coin depicts a mature eagle soaring majestically through the sky. The coin’s reverse is based on a replica of the first Great Seal of the United States used between 1782 and 1841.
The obverse of the half–dollar clad coin depicts baby eaglets at about two to three days old, settled in a nest with an unhatched egg. The reverse features the legendary Bald Eagle “Challenger” with the American flag in the background.
Surcharges collected from 2008 American Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Program sales are authorized to be paid to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to further its works.
Those who wish to purchase these coins may order Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin options at the United States Mint’s secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or at the toll–free number, 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may place their orders by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday.
A satellite feed of the event will be available on Thursday, April 10th, from 2:30–2:45 PM (ET), C Band Analog, GA 26C, Tr. 1, 3720V and on Friday, April 11th, from 4:30–04:45 AM ET, C Band Analog, AMC 3, Tr. 8, DL 3860V.