2nd Official Coin Review

Since I rather enjoy the proof platinum coins I feel compelled to address the 2008 design. The design is representative of the judicial branch of government and closes out a three year program to figuratively represent the three branches of our government.

I won't comment on the obverse since it hasn't changed since 1997 and I have talked about it previously. The reverse has two main elements: Lady Justice holding a set of scales in one hand and a sword in the other. According to the mint: "In her right hand, the scales are suspended from one finger, representing the delicate balance of the law. In the other hand she holds the sword, signifying the power that is held by those making the decision. The bald eagle, our Nation’s symbol of power, courage and freedom, is featured watching over our firm foundation of democracy." I can get behind all of this and the design is fairly well executed but for how small even the one ounce coin is, it might have been prudent to focus on the head of Lady Justice and the scales she holds. I can imagine it could have been quite dramatic (I'm thinking of Elizabeth Jones' execution of the Statue of Liberty on the 1986 half eagle). While not the strongest design of the series, it certainly stays within the bounds of its predecessors.

Summary: 4 out of 5