Can't say that I like the design of the American Buffalo. I do have the 5oz piedfort "American" Bald Eagle and think that its' design is far superior. I get what db23 is expressing about this "Citizen of the World" coin with seemingly no nation-state allegiance. As I thought about it I remembered seeing a recent Canadian (RCM) issue of the "American" Bald Eagle and I had to look it up on their website. They are in fact not naming the $100 for $100 release coin "American" , but merely Bald Eagle which I believe is correct. I am no taxonomist but in fact the Bald Eagle has a geographical range throughout North America and seems to be as prevalent in Canada (from what I've read, it likes to pair up and do the nasty up here in Canada, and then head to warmer climes for the winter months, which methinks is a pretty good lifestyle/philosophy). Thus , if anything the coin should be named the North American Bald Eagle. In any event, some interesting facts I came across on Wikepedia:
"Bald eagle nests are often very large in order to compensate for size of the birds. The largest recorded nest was found in Florida in 1963, and was measured at nearly 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep."
and
"Contrary to popular legend, there is no evidence that Benjamin Franklin ever publicly supported the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), rather than the bald eagle, as a symbol of the United States. However, in a letter written to his daughter in 1784 from Paris, criticizing the Society of the Cincinnati, he stated his personal distaste for the bald eagle's behavior. In the letter Franklin states:[4]
For my own part. I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly ... besides he is a rank coward: The little king bird not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district."
Hmmm...prescient analogy ...
Happy CANADIAN Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Luker