The first reported discovery was reported in the May 5 issue of Coin World. Leesburg, Ga. collector John Nanney notified them that he discovered an uncirculated 2008-W American Eagle with the Reverse of 2007 silver dollar on April 15.

The U.S. Mint estimates that 47,000 uncirculated 2008-W American Eagle silver dollars with the 2007 reverse designs were minted based on the fact that 15 of othe ‘07 reverse dies were found to have been used.

Silver Eagles issued in 2008 show numerous subtle modifications to their design. Many of the lettering changes can be seen on the obverse:

1. The L in LIBERTY has an angled feature to the foot rather than two straight lines forming the letter. The foot of the letter is also shorter than prior years.
2. The E of LIBERTY is also quite different in that the center portion extends to be in line with the upper extension of the letter. On prior years, the center stem does not extend to the length of the upper stem.
3. The G of GOD has no serif.
4. Probably the most obvious and interesting redesign effect is the U of TRUST as well as the U of UNITED on the coin’s reverse. On the 2008 issues the U is shaped as a small case “u” would be. That is, it shows the down stroke on the right side of the letter.
5. The date is much smaller on the 2008 than on the 2007 dated American Silver Eagle

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Spain is laying formal claim to a shipwreck that yielded an estimated $500 million in treasure. Spain claims it has proof the vessel is Spanish and wants a Florida deep-sea exploration firm that recovered the booty give it all back.

Spanish officials say the 19th-century shipwreck at the heart of a year-old dispute with Odyssey Marine Exploration of Tampa is without a doubt the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes. The Spanish warship was sunk by the British navy southwest of Portugal in 1804 with more than 200 people on board.

A U.S. federal judge will convene the two parties to review the case before deciding who gets to keep the treasure, now held in a warehouse in Tampa.

Odyssey officials maintain there isn’t enough evidence to prove the vessel is the Mercedes, mainly because there is no hull. They say they’ve found only cargo from a shipwreck, not the actual vessel.

Source: AP

Odyssey Marine has an FAQ about the shipwreck, code-named “Black Swan,” on their Web site.

Since the announcement by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (AMEX:OMR) of the recovery of over 500,000 coins from the shipwreck code-named “Black Swan“, intense international media coverage has led to many questions that the Company would like to address. In addition to the following questions and answers, additional information on the shipwreck can be accessed in the “Black Swan Question and Answer” section of Odyssey’s website at shipwreck.net, or a copy may be obtained by contacting the Company.

I sure hope not…

Beginning May 13, 2008, the United States Mint is shining the spotlight on its Presidential $1 Coin products. Here’s what collectors can expect.

On Tuesday, May 13, the United States Mint will release a second option in the collection, the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set, in honor of John Adams, our Nation’s second President.

This latest product includes a proof version of the John Adams Presidential $1 Coin and an intaglio print of John Adams from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The intaglio print is visible from the cover of the textured, leather-like folder of the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set. Inside the folder is the official John Adams Presidential signature, courtesy of the White House Historical Association. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each set.

The first option in the collection, the United States Mint Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set - George Washington, is also available.

Source: CoinLink.com

The next Presidential $1 coin to be released is the John Quincy Adams dollar (pictured) which will be released on 15 May 2008. A full release schedule is available on the U.S. Mint Web site.

The United States Mint has announced the upcoming arrival of new Presidential $1 dollar coin products in May.

For some collectors, the announced offerings may come as a bit of a surprise since the Mint is pushing out an additional product as well as the next scheduled coin honoring U.S. Presidents.

They have, in fact, extended their Presidential product line and are spotlighting already released coins in new ways.

Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set

The U.S. Mint had somewhat quietly released a new collection in April called the Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set. It featured George Washington.

Source: CoinNews.net

The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins at 12:00 noon (ET) on May 5, 2008. This year’s coins feature the final design in the three-year series entitled, “The Foundations of American Democracy,” celebrating our Nation’s Judicial Branch of government.Emblazoned on the reverse of the 2008 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins is an allegorical image of Lady Justice, a classic symbol dating back to the Greeks and Romans. Scales, suspended from a finger of her right hand, represent the delicate balance of the law. A sword in her left hand symbolizes the power of reason, which can be wielded in either direction. The bald eagle-our Nation’s symbol of courage and freedom-watches over our firm foundation of democracy.

Source: CoinLink.com

The Proof One Ounce coin will cost US$2,299.95, and the Proof Four-Coin Set will sell for US$4,119.95. Volatility in the spot price of platinum over the past year has forced the Mint to raise its prices for the Proof 2008-W American Eagle .9995 fine platinum coins, ranging 17.4 to 45 percent higher than 2007 prices.