2008 seems to be a good year for eagles ... on coins. The US Mint will issue three coins dedicated to the Bald Eagle http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php?showtopic=17709 this year - and in one week, Swissmint issues this coin:


http://www.swissmint.ch/php/mhscms/apps/mh...dler_bgross.jpg

This is the latest issue in the Swiss National Park series. The bird here is a Steinadler (Golden Eagle), an animal that is also depicted - in a more or less stylized way - in the coats of arms of several countries such as neighboring Germany. In real life it can be found in the N.P. (Engadin/Münstertal) for example.

Mintage 95,000 (unc) + 12,000 (proof). The unc version can be had at face value, the proof version costs 30 fr, I think.

Christian

This is indeed a lovely coin.. I hope I can manage to get one. Since I don't collect proof coins, the UNC seems fine to me.

Not bad, but going with artistic appeal I'd have to stick with the US Mint's Bald Eagles. This should still be a very striking coin to the eye though.

Yes, agreed. Except that the Swiss coin can not only be purchased at face value, while the Bald Eagles cost much more than face. No, Swissmint also has a working web store, contrary to ... sigh.

Christian

That will be one cool coin. I can't wait for someone to post a pic of it in hand.

The Mint has a web store...sort of.

That was the point I was trying to make.

Oh, and here is another "birds" piece - a falcon, from Poland: http://www.numismatico.de/files/pl-2vogel_806.jpg
The 20 zl silver coin (above) shows a falcon with a nest and "baby birds" (again similar to one of the US pieces). There is also a 2 zl base metal (Nordic Gold) piece http://www.numismatico.de/files/pl-20vogel_187.jpg featuring a falcon. Both coins were/are issued this week.

Edit: Well, they were issued. And apparently people in Warsaw for example spent hours in long lines to get the silver piece.
http://www.polskieradio.pl/zagranica/news/...out_at_NBP.html

Christian