They are ENDEARING

Ok, I am going to go out on a limb, and so against the grain of the group feeling and admit that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Bald Eagle half dollar coins.

As soon as the brochure arrived, I couldn't wait for the day they went on sale for pre-order. I wanted them. WHY? Which ones caught my eye? It was the half dollar that caught my attention immediately!

Personally, of all three coins, I find the half dollar with these so-called "skinny chickens" the most endearing.

Certainly, the soaring eagle on the other coin is "majestic" but on the half dollar, the eaglets just warm my heart and make me want to do volunteer work again like I did once upon a time in America, working in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. I didn't see any bald eagles there, though I do occasional see one or two around my home here, and have seen them when I've traveled to other places such as Nova Scotia and more pristine environments.

There is a nesting pair that lives over by the Connecticut River and what we have surmised is that they come to fish here at the lake. They stop sometimes at the trees near my house (or in the neighborhood).

When I pulled out of my driveway one day, and I was heading up the road, and this HUGE bird (the bald eagle) took flight from a low branch of a tree and flew right over my windshield, I was in shock (and awe!).

Mind you, I also live about 10 minutes from our airport (BDL), so when I go down the road near the airport, I am used to 747s or other jets flying over my windshield, just a few feet above it seems, but having this eagle fly over my car seemed more awe-inspiring.

The eaglets on these half dollars though, also inspire me to think about how this species came so far in such a relatively short period of time, that they were actually REMOVED from the endangered species list. It is not something that is done often, nor taken lightly.

So, the skinny chickens get my vote for coin of the year!

And I confess, I liked them SO much, during the pre-ordering, while the prices were reduced, I ordered about a dozen of them. I mean, why not? They were inexpensive, they may be the ONLY commemorative we get this year from the Mint, and with that many, if I send them ALL to be graded, I am BOUND to get at least a 70 or two (I hope).

Mike B.