2008 saw fairly typical numbers of American Gold Eagle coins sold. However, July marked the start of a dramatic increase in sales that actually forced the US Mint to suspend gold coin sales in August for two weeks. When sales did resume, coins were rationed. Despite this rationing, the total number of American Gold Eagle coins sold in 2008 leaves it in the top ten highest sales years. Presently, JM Bullion has a 2008 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle coin available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives in a protective plastic flip!
- 23rd year of the American Gold Eagle coin series!
- Final mintage of 70,000 coins!
- Contains 1/4 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Has a face value of $10 (USD) fully backed by the US government.
- The obverse features Lady Liberty.
- The reverse features a family of eagles.
The obverse of the 2008 American Gold Eagle coin features the Augustus Saint-Gaudens version of Lady Liberty. The full-length figure of Lady Liberty appears to be walking straight at you. She is carrying a torch in her extended right hand, her left hand is holding an olive branch, and her hair is flowing in the breeze behind her.
The reverse of the 2008 American Gold Eagle coin features the design created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter that symbolizes the importance of family in America. A male eagle, carrying an olive branch, is flying towards a nest with a female eagle and a couple of eaglets. It includes several inscriptions as well.
These obverse and reverse designs are the result of President Theodore Roosevelt’s feeling that US coins had become artistically dull. In 1904, he inquired about retaining the talents of Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would return beauty to our US coins. Saint-Gaudens had been one of the first Americans to study sculpture at a world-renowned fine-arts school in Paris. Saint-Gaudens accepted the President’s invitation. It is a version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty that now appears on the American Eagle Gold coin.
During the early 2000’s, the price of gold experienced numerous peaks and valleys, all the while, ever so slowly trending upwards. From the closing price of gold in 2000 to the closing price in 2005, it nearly doubled, going from a closing price of $274.00 in 2000 to a closing price of $513.00 in 2005. In 2006, the closing price of gold shot up to $632.00, an increase of $119.00. In 2007, the price of gold enjoyed a huge spike, closing at $833.75, an increase of $201.75! However, in 2008, the Global economy suffered through some turbulent times. The price per ounce of gold soared as high as $1,011.25 in March and sunk as low as $712.50 in October. It rallied slightly to end the year, finally closing at $880.75, representing a small increase over 2007.
Do you have questions? JM Bullion Customer Service has your answers. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, online via our live chat, or via our email address.