Numismatic

2008-W Burnished American Silver Eagle MS-70 NGC (Rev '07)

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In 2008, a subtle yet fascinating anomaly occurred at the West Point Mint. A selection of the burnished silver coins, which are specially prepared with matte-like finishes, were mistakenly struck using the reverse dies from the previous year. This production variation created a distinct variety that immediately captured the attention of numismatists. It is estimated that only about 47,000 of these burnished pieces were produced with the 2007 reverse, making them a compelling study in modern minting variations. This United States sovereign coin contains one troy ounce of 99.9 percent pure silver. The obverse features the iconic walking figure of Lady Liberty, designed by Adolph A. Weinman, draped in the American flag as she moves toward the dawn. The inscriptions on this side include the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the year "2008". The reverse displays a powerful heraldic eagle positioned beneath a canopy of thirteen five-pointed stars. The eagle holds an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing peace and strength. The inscriptions on the reverse read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "1 OZ. FINE SILVER", "ONE DOLLAR", and "E PLURIBUS UNUM", alongside the "W" mintmark representing its origin at the West Point facility.