1982 1 Oz Free The Eagle American Symbol Round BU

This round was commissioned and promoted by Howard J. Ruff. Ruff was a financial adviser and author of a hard money investing newsletter, called "The Ruff Times". From 1981 through 1985, Ruff conducted annual conventions focusing on finance and investment. "Ruff Times" rounds were minted for each of those conventions. Texas Mint minted the round for 1981, but the mint is unknown for the rounds minted for the 1982 through 1985 conventions. In 1988, Ruff held another convention where a 1/2 Oz round was issued in tandem with the convention. Besides the convention round issued in 1982, a set of three "Free the Eagle" rounds were also commissioned. The rounds have a common obverse but different motifs on the reverse including, Pecunia Proba, Honor Freedom, and George Washington. All rounds commissioned by Ruff were minted with .999 Fine Silver. The mint and the mintages are unknown for most of them, and the rounds are uncommon. 

Obverse: The obverse depicts an eagle clutching an olive branch. The phrase "FREE THE EAGLE" is inscribed at the top and is completed by "FOR A STRONGER AMERICA" at the bottom. The weight, purity, and content of "1TROY OZ. .999 FINE SILVER" are found immediately below the olive branch. The initials "HJR" and the date "1982" are inscribed to the right of the eagle. Decorative notches encircle the central image and text.

Reverse: The reverse features three eagles in flight. The phrase "HONOR FREEDOM" and the dates "1782-1982" are located beneath the image of the eagles. The outer rim contains the inscriptions of "200TH YEAR OF THE EAGLE" at the top and "THE AMERICAN SYMBOL" at the bottom.