Numismatic

2008-W Burnished American Silver Eagle SP-70 PCGS (FS, Rev '07)

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In 2008, the West Point Mint produced a fascinating variety of the American Silver Eagle that quickly captured the attention of numismatists. Due to an accidental mix-up during production, a small run of these coins was struck using the reverse dies from 2007. This specific variety is estimated to have a mintage of only 47,000 pieces, making it a highly sought-after anomaly in the modern coin series. The defining characteristic of this error is found on the reverse side. The inscription for the country name features a sans-serif letter 'U' in 'UNITED STATES', a distinct stylistic departure from the standard 2008 design. Alongside this typographic variation, the reverse displays a traditional heraldic eagle positioned beneath a field of 13 stars, accompanied by the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM'. The obverse showcases the classic depiction of Lady Liberty, originally designed by Adolph A. Weinman, moving gracefully toward a rising sun with the inscriptions 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and the year '2008'. This particular coin is struck in one troy ounce of 0.999 fine silver and features a distinct burnished finish, which offers a soft, matte-like appearance. Graded at a perfect Specimen 70 (SP-70), this sovereign dollar stands as a remarkable testament to the subtle variations that can occur during the minting process.