SAN FRANCISCO - As the world prepares for the opening of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China, on August 8, 2008, United States Mint Director Ed Moy invited reporters to the United States Mint at San Francisco, where he introduced the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set.  This set of two gold coins is the second installment of the United States Mint Celebration Series, meant to provide special numismatic products for gift-giving occasions.  The new set features one 24-karat American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin and one 22-karat American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin.  

Director Moy discussed the significance of this new set of gold coins, saying, "The
8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for coin collectors and the general public.  The date 8-8-08 (August 8, 2008) occurs only once every 100 years.  To mark this occasion, this is also the first time the United States Mint has paired two gold coins in custom-designed packaging, making this set a unique product for the Asian-American community."

Following the presentation, Director Moy and Larry Eckerman, Plant Manager, United States Mint at San Francisco, led reporters and camera crews on a special tour of the United States Mint at San Francisco.

The American Buffalo One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin contained in this set is one of the newly-released fractional weight options in the expanded American Buffalo Coin Program.  The coin bears the classic portrait of a Native American in profile on the obverse and the magnificent American Buffalo, or bison, on the reverse.  Noted American sculptor James Earle Fraser, a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally designed both images for the redesigned five-cent coin (nickel) released in 1913.

The American Eagle One-Half Ounce Gold Uncirculated Coin displays Augustus Saint-Gaudens' enduring full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left.  The coin's reverse, by Miley Busiek, bears the endearing image of a male eagle clutching an olive branch while soaring above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.

Both coins in the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set are legal tender with a nominal face value designation of $25.  But their gold metal content and artistry make them worth far more.  Inscriptions on the coins include the "W" mint mark for the United States Mint at West Point, the date, the fineness and the weight.  The coins are packaged in an attractive hardwood box with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Director Moy.

Customers may order the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set at the United States Mint's secure Web site at www.usmint.gov.  Orders may also be placed at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Please add $4.95 shipping and handling fee to all domestic orders.  There is no set product limit for the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set.

Click here to see an image of the 8-8-08 Double Prosperity Set.