- February 5
- The US Mint launches the 2008 Celebration Series product, featuring the American Buffalo 1-ounce 0.9999 fine gold bullion coin. Issue price is $1018.88. This is the first gold bullion coin sold directly by the Mint to the public. [21.10]
- February 14
- Heritage Auction Galleries conducts auction in Long Beach, California. Some highlights:
- 1794 Liberty Cap cent starred reverse AU-50 PCGS $632,500;
- 1793 Liberty Cap cent AU-55 PCGS $632,500;
- 1794 Liberty Cap cent, head of 1795, MS-67 red and brown PCGS: $488,750;
- 1838-O half dollar PC-63 PCGS: $632,500;
- 1796 half dollar, 15 stars, MS-63 NGC: $373,750.
[70.1] [109.20]
- February 21
- Monaco Rare Coins of California sells a 1861 Coronet Paquet Reverse double eagle for US$2.5 million. [43.108]
- February 28
- Legislation (HR 5512) is introduced in the House of Representatives, the "Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008". It proposes replacing the copper-plated zinc cent with a steel coin, and requiring the US Mint lose money on any circulating coin for five years before changing alloys. [5.1] [29.1] [46.91]
- The US Mint begins sales of the Proof (US$619.95) and Uncirculated (US$599.95) 2008-W Elizabeth Monroe First Spouse gold coins. [21.5,64] [28.46]
- March 6
- (to March 7) Heritage Auction Galleries conducts the Signature Auction at the Phoenix National Money Show in Arizona. Some highlights:
- US $20 gold 1907 High Relief, Wire Rim, MS-69 PCGS: US$517,500;
- US $4 gold 1880 Flowing Hair, PR-66 NGC: US$488,750.
[5.18] [35.5] [70.1] [156.21]
- March 13
- Representative Michael Castle of Delaware introduces the Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (HR 5614) in Congress. The bill seeks issuance of 2009-dated 0.995 fine palladium bullion coins using the Saint-Gaudens design originally employed on the 1907 double eagle. Up to 25,000 Proof 1-ounce gold coins could optionally be produced in the first year only. [5.10] (introduced by Luis Gutierrez [32.106])
- US Mint Director Edmund Moy announces the Mint will issue a 2009 Saint-Gaudens, Roman Numerals, Ultra High Relief 0.9999 fine 1-ounce gold bullion coin. [5.10]
- March 17
- The US Mint begins sales of Uncirculated 2008-W 1-ounce 0.999 fine American Eagle silver dollar coins, with initial price US$25.95. [5.46]
- March 18
- The US Mint officially launches the Ohio state quarter dollar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. [53.72]
- April 1
- The US House of Representatives approves HR 2040 legislation for a commemorative silver dollar coin (mintage limit 350,000, in Proof and Uncirculated) that would be issued in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A $10 surcharge to the price of each coin would go to the United Negro College fund. [25.75] [76.78]
- The US Mint begins sales of Uncirculated 2008-W American Eagle gold coins, 1/10 ounce ($124.95), 1/4 ounce ($295.95), 1/2 ounce ($565.95), and 1 ounce ($1119.95). [21.4]
- April 7
- In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the US Mint launches the 47th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program, the 2008 circulating New Mexico quarter dollar coin. [22.4] [25.107] [26.4] [28.58] [29.84]
- April 8
- Representative Ike Skelton of Missouri introduces H.R. 5714 "The United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008", to mint special commemorative coins to honor the US Army. Three denominations would be included: copper-nickel clad half-dollars, silver dollars, and gold $5 half eagle coins. All coins would be legal tender, but considered numismatic items sold to collectors, with surcharges on all coins to be paid to the National Museum of the US Army and the Army Historical Foundation. [26.70] [76.67]
- Bill H.R. 5733 is introduced in the House of Representatives proposing to mint special commemorative coins for the 100th anniversary of Glacier National Park in Montana. All coins would be legal tender, with a surcharge to be paid to the Glacier National Park Fund of Whitefish, Montana. [26.70]
- The US Mint introduces the Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature set, featuring a Proof 2007-S George Washington dollar coin in a folder with printed portrait of George Washington and his signature. Price is US$19.95. [25.4] [43.15]
- April 15
- In Chicago, Illinois, Bowers and Merena Auctions conducts the Chicago Rarities Sale auction. Some highlights:
- USA 5-cent 1926-D NGC MS-66: $322,000.
[28.5]
- April 17
- At the Central States Numismatic Society convention, in Rosemont, Illinois, Heritage Auction Galleries hosts the US Coin Signature Auction. Some highlights:
- 25-cent 1804, MS-65 NGC: US$310,500,
- 25-cent 1839 no drapery, PR-65 NGC: US$517,500,
- $1 1794 AU-58 NGC: US$488,750,
- $1 1802 "Novodel", PR-65 Cameo PCGS: US$920,000,
- $1 1804 Class I, Mickley specimen, PR-62 NGC: US$3,737,500.
- $1 1870-S, EF-40 NGC: US$805,000,
- $20 1871-CC, MS-64 NGC: US$414,000,
[22.4] [26.1] [28.5] [70.1] [99.60] (April 16 [124.78])
- US Senator John Rockefeller of West Virginia introduces Senate bill S. 2883 to direct the Treasury to mint up to 400,000 silver dollars in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the designation of Mother's Day in May. [33.64]
- April 22
- Pete Sessions, Representative for Texas, introduces H.R. 5872 "Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act" in the House of Representatives, for up to 350,000 silver dollars in 2010 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. [29.92]
- April 28
- The US Mint begins sales of 2008 Sacagawea dollars in rolls and bags for more than face value, but not released to circulation at face value. [51.68]
- Senator Max Baucus of Montana introduces Senate Bill 2924, "Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act". [32.106]
- (month unknown)
- Eastern Numismatics sells a $4 1880 Flowing Hair Stella gold pattern coin grading NGC PR-66 for $575,000. [35.5]
- May 1
- Stanley L. Klos of Florida files a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Florida against U.S. Secretary of the Treasurer Henry Paulson claiming that the US Mint's Presidential dollar program should include the ten men who served as president of the United States in Congress Assembled under the 1777 Articles of Confederation. [51.10]
- May 2
- US Mint officials announce that the Treasury has given them permission to issue 2009 1-ounce 0.9999 gold coins bearing a modified version of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Roman Numerals, Ultra High Relief double eagle. [29.10]
- May 5
- The US Mint begins sales of the 2008-W Platinum Proof American Eagle coins. Denominations, weights, and issue prices are: $100 1-ounce $2299.95, $50 half-ounce $1174.95, $25 quarter-ounce $609.95, and $10 tenth-ounce $269.95. A four-coin set is priced at $4119.95. [35.66] [42.5] [46.4] [56.91] [70.86]
- May 8
- H.R. 5512 "The Coin Modernization and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2008" passes the House of Representatives. The bill proposes changing the 1-cent and 5-cent coins to a core of steel. [31.58] [32.1] [46.91] [82.72]
- May 15
- The US Mint releases the 2008 John Quincy Adams Presidential dollar coins into circulation. [26.4] [28.4] [32.60]
- The House of Representatives passes H.R. 5872, the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, by vote of 403 to 8. The bill authorizes the US Mint to produce up to 350,000 silver dollars in 2010 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts, with $10 from the sale of each coin going to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation. [33.10]
- The House of Representatives passes H.R. 2894, the "Star Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act", authorizing the US Mint to produce up to 350,000 silver dollars in 2010 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of the "Star Bangled Banner", and the start of the War of 1812, with $10 from the sale of each coin going to the Maryland Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. [33.10] [51.5] [58.93]
- The House of Representatives passes H.R. 5614, by vote of 415 to 0. The bill authorizes the US Mint to produce 2009-dated 1-ounce 0.9995 fine palladium bullion coins with the Saint-Gaudens, Ultra High Relief double eagle design. Up to 25,000 Proof gold double eagles can be produced in the first year. [33.10] [36.1]
- May 16
- Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano ceremonially strikes the first 2008-D Arizona state quarter at the Denver Mint in Colorado. [28.4] [35.52]
- May 21
- (to May 22) Stack's conducts an auction of 2800 lots of US coins, paper money. Some highlights:
- 1795 Capped Bust Small Eagle 13 Leaves Reverse gold $20 eagle PCGS MS-63 US$402,500;
- 1916 bronze cast for Standing Liberty quarter dollar US$120,750.
[35.1] [36.60]
- May 26
- (to May 27) Superior Galleries conducts the Pre-Long Beach Elite Coin Auction of 1200 lots in Beverly Hills, California. USA 1879 Flowing Hair gold $4 Stella NGC PR-67 cameo: US$402,500. [36.61]
- May 29
- The US Mint begins sales of the Proof and Uncirculated 2008-W Louisa Adams First Spouse half-ounce 0.9999 fine gold $10 coins. Mintage limits are 20,000 of each type. [28.4] [32.60]
- The US Mint begins sales of the Proof 2008 John Quincy Adams Presidential dollars. [32.60]
- June 2
- The US Mint begins sales of the 2008 Uncirculated American Eagle platinum coins. [32.60]
- The US Mint releases the 2008 Arizona state quarter-dollar coin to circulation. The reverse design of the Grand Canyon and a saguaro cactus was created by US Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph F. Menna. [28.4] [32.60] [35.4,42] [38.4]
- June 4
- Representative Michael Castle of Delaware introduces H.R. 6184 "America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008" in the House of Representatives, seeking legislative authority to mint quarter-dollar coins with designs representing a park in every state, the District of Columbia, and each territory, five coins per year starting in 2010. [46.60] [80.1]
- June 10
- The US Mint reveals it is paying $12 million in contracts to three marketing firms to promote use of dollar coins in circulation. [39.4]
- The House of Representatives passes H.R. 3229, the "National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act". [51.5]
- June 11
- The US Mint announces it will make boxes of rolls of Presidential dollars available at face value, to a value of $500, with free shipping to anywhere in the USA. The intent is to encourage circulation of the coins. [39.1]
- June 19
- The US Senate passes bill S. 2159, authorizing a $50 gold coin and nine silver dollars commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. [40.60] [44.4] (June 15 [57.5])
- June 24
- The US Mint begins sales of the 14-coin 2008-S Proof set. Issue price is $26.95. [32.60] [40.76]
- June 25
- The US House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services passes H.R. 6184 "America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008". [41.5]
- Stack's auctions the Husky Collection. Some highlights:
- 1792 half disme MS-63 NGC: US$402,500;
- 1795 Capped Bust Small Eagle gold $5 half eagle MS-65 PCGS: US$586,500;
- 1796/5 Capped Bust Heraldic Eagle half eagle MS-64 NGC: US$316,250;
- 1796 Capped Bust eagle MS-63 NGC: US$322,000;
- 1851 Seated Liberty dollar restrike over 1859-O dollar PR-62 PCGS: US$373,750;
- 1907 Indian Head With Periods Wire Rim eagle MS-66 PCGS: US$373,750;
- 1907 Indian Head With Periods Wire Rim eagle MS-67 PCGS: US$345,000.
[41.76]
- June 26
- Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming introduces S. 3214 proposing a series of 56 quarter dollar coins with national park designs. [41.5]
- (to June 27) Heritage Numismatic Auctions conducts the auction at the Summer FUN Convention in West Palm Beach, Florida. Some highlights:
- $4 1880 Flowing Hair Stella pattern, PR-64 PCGS: US$431,250.
[42.83] [70.C3]
- Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia introduces H.R. 6404 to authorize a silver dollar for 2011 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. [42.96]
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