Table of Contents
Description
The American Gold Eagle, an official gold bullion coin of the United States, was authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and first minted by the United States Mint in 1986. Its creation aimed to rival other popular gold bullion coins like the Canadian Maple Leaf and the South African Krugerrand. The design of the American Gold Eagle draws from the $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coin, commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt to emulate ancient Greek and Roman coins. Comprising 91.67% gold and 8.33% other metals like silver and copper, it is classified as 22-karat gold. The coin varies in weight and diameter across one, half, quarter, and tenth ounce sizes and is minted at the U.S. Mint in West Point, bearing the “W” mint mark, and is purchasable from authorized dealers.
In 2021, the US Mint unveiled a new reverse design featuring a detailed head portrait of an eagle, crafted by US Mint artistic designer Jennie Norris and sculpted by US Mint medallic artist Renata Gordon. Since its introduction, the American Gold Eagle has emerged as a premier gold bullion option. Available in one ounce, half ounce, quarter ounce, and tenth ounce sizes, these coins are composed of 22-karat gold blended with alloy, ensuring durability against wear and tear, thereby preserving their resale value. As US bullion coins, they carry the weight, purity, and content assurances backed by the U.S. government, qualifying them for inclusion in IRAs.
To distinguish them from pre-1933 ten dollars gold coins, also known as “eagles,” the weight of the bullion coin serves as the primary identifier for American Gold Eagles (e.g., “1/2-ounce American Gold Eagle”). This distinction is particularly vital for the 1/4-oz American Gold Eagle, which bears a face value of ten dollars. All coins maintain a consistent composition of 91.67% gold (22 karat), 3% silver, and 5.33% copper.
Pictures of 2024 American Eagle Gold Coins
On the obverse, Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ iconic portrayal of Lady Liberty graces the coin, depicted in full length with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left.
Since 2021, the reverse features a portrait of an eagle. Gold Eagles minted between 1986 and 1991 bear dates in Roman numerals, while from 1992 onwards, Arabic numerals are used for dating.
The 1⁄10, 1⁄4, and 1⁄2 troy oz coins mirror the design of the 1 troy oz coin, save for markings on the reverse indicating the weight and face value (e.g., 1 OZ. fine gold~50 dollars). Consequently, the print on smaller denominations is finer and less easily legible compared to larger ones.
What are the denominations of US gold american eagle coins?
- Obverse Inscriptions: LIBERTY Year
- Reverse Inscriptions: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM IN GOD WE TRUST
| Denomination | 1/10 troy oz | 1/4 troy oz | 1/2 troy oz | 1 troy oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 16.5 mm | 22mm | 27 mm | 32.70 mm |
| Thickness | 1.19 mm | 1.83 mm | 2.24 mm | 2.87 mm |
| Gross weight | 0.1091 troy oz (3.393 g) | 0.2727 troy oz (8.483 g) | 0.5454 troy oz (16.965 g) | 1.0909 troy oz (33.931 g) |
| Face value | $5 | $10 | $25 | $50 |
What Is The Meaning Of Face Values On Gold Eagles?
Today’s Gold Eagle coins are minted with a $50 face value on the one-ounce coins. Fractional coins have corresponding values of $25, $10, and $5, for the ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10-ounce coins, respectively. This strikes a nerve with many investors because gold’s inflation adjusted value over the past 40 years should be around $2000. So, why does the US Mint insist on putting $50 per-ounce price tags on coins that are worth exponentially more? Well, let’s look at the back-story.
Pre-1933 coins had face values of $1-$20. One-ounce Double Eagle coins bear that $20 marking, and at the time of their minting were worth about $20 each, since gold’s market price was around that very same value. However, the government froze the gold market, and demanded that holders of gold coins return them for a 20$ cash reimbursement. After this confiscation was enacted, the government raised the price of gold to $35 per ounce, exploiting many safety-seeking gold investors.
To purchase American Eagle Proof and Uncirculated Coins directly from the U.S. Mint, you can visit their official website. They offer a range of options for collectors, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, each available in proof and uncirculated finishes.
However, if you’re interested in American Eagle Bullion Coins specifically for investment purposes, you won’t be able to buy them directly from the U.S. Mint. Instead, you’ll need to locate an authorized dealer. These dealers are approved by the U.S. Mint to sell bullion coins to the public.
Authorized dealers can be found through various channels, including online searches, coin shops, and precious metals dealers. It’s important to ensure that you’re purchasing from a reputable dealer to guarantee the authenticity and quality of the coins.
Annual bullion mintage and annual proof mintage for each denomination and year:
| Year | $5 Bullion | $5 Proof | $10 Bullion | $10 Proof | $25 Bullion | $25 Proof | $50 Bullion | $50 Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 912,609 | – | 726,031 | – | 599,566 | – | 1,362,650 | 446,290 |
| 1987 | 580,266 | – | 269,255 | – | 131,255 | 143,398 | 1,045,500 | 147,498 |
| 1988 | 159,500 | 143,881 | 49,000 | 98,028 | 45,000 | 76,528 | 465,500 | 87,133 |
| 1989 | 264,790 | 84,647 | 81,789 | 54,170 | 44,829 | 44,798 | 415,790 | 54,570 |
| 1990 | 210,210 | 99,349 | 41,000 | 62,674 | 31,000 | 51,636 | 373,210 | 62,401 |
| 1991 | 165,200 | 70,334 | 36,100 | 50,839 | 24,100 | 53,125 | 243,100 | 50,411 |
| 1992 | 209,300 | 64,874 | 59,546 | 46,269 | 54,404 | 40,976 | 275,000 | 44,826 |
| 1993 | 210,709 | 58,649 | 71,864 | 46,464 | 73,324 | 43,819 | 480,192 | 34,369 |
| 1994 | 206,380 | 62,849 | 72,650 | 48,172 | 62,400 | 44,584 | 221,663 | 46,674 |
| 1995 | 223,025 | 62,667 | 83,752 | 47,526 | 53,474 | 45,388 | 200,636 | 46,368 |
| 1996 | 401,964 | 57,047 | 60,318 | 38,219 | 39,287 | 35,058 | 189,148 | 36,153 |
| 1997 | 528,515 | 34,977 | 108,805 | 29,805 | 79,605 | 26,344 | 664,508 | 32,999 |
| 1998 | 1,344,520 | 39,395 | 309,829 | 29,503 | 169,029 | 25,374 | 1,468,530 | 25,886 |
| 1999 | 2,750,338 | 48,428 | 564,232 | 34,417 | 263,013 | 30,427 | 1,505,026 | 31,427 |
| 2000 | 569,153 | 49,971 | 128,964 | 36,036 | 79,287 | 32,028 | 433,319 | 33,007 |
| 2001 | 269,147 | 37,530 | 71,280 | 25,613 | 48,047 | 23,240 | 143,605 | 24,555 |
| 2002 | 230,027 | 40,864 | 62,027 | 29,242 | 70,027 | 26,646 | 222,029 | 27,499 |
| 2003 | 245,029 | 40,027 | 74,029 | 30,292 | 79,029 | 28,270 | 416,032 | 28,344 |
| 2004 | 250,016 | 35,131 | 72,014 | 28,839 | 98,040 | 27,330 | 417,019 | 28,215 |
| 2005 | 300,043 | 49,265 | 72,015 | 37,207 | 80,023 | 34,311 | 356,555 | 35,246 |
| 2006 | 285,006 | 47,277 | 60,004 | 36,127 | 66,005 | 34,322 | 237,510 | 47,092 |
| 2007 | 190,010 | 58,553 | 34,004 | 46,189 | 47,002 | 44,025 | 140,016 | 51,810 |
| 2008 | 305,000 | 28,116 | 70,000 | 18,877 | 61,000 | 22,602 | 710,000 | 30,237 |
| 2009 | 270,000 | – | 110,000 | – | 110,000 | – | 1,493,000 | – |
| 2010 | 435,000 | 54,285 | 86,000 | 44,507 | 81,000 | 44,527 | 1,125,000 | 59,480 |
| 2011 | 350,000 | 42,697 | 80,000 | 28,782 | 70,000 | 26,781 | 857,000 | 48,306 |
| 2012 | 290,000 | 20,740 | 90,000 | 13,775 | 43,000 | 12,809 | 675,000 | 23,630 |
| 2013 | 555,000 | 21,742 | 114,500 | 12,789 | 57,000 | 12,718 | 758,500 | 24,710 |
| 2014 | 545,000 | 22,725 | 90,000 | 14,790 | 35,000 | 14,693 | 425,000 | 28,703 |
| 2015 | 980,000 | 26,769 | 158,000 | 15,775 | 75,000 | 15,820 | 626,500 | 32,652 |
| 2016 | 925,000 | – | 152,000 | – | 74,000 | – | 817,500 | – |
| 2017 | 395,000 | – | 64,000 | – | 37,000 | – | 228,000 | – |
| 2018 | 230,000 | – | 62,000 | – | 32,000 | – | 191,000 | – |
| 2019 | 195,000 | – | 38,000 | – | 30,000 | – | 108,000 | – |
| 2020 | 350,000 | – | 106,000 | – | 70,000 | – | 747,500 | – |
| 2021 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Why is the American Eagle Coin in Gold So Popular?
They were basically designed to add value to an investor’s portfolio and physical amounts of gold, silver, and platinum into their investments. These beautiful rare coins are of the highest quality and are the bestselling investment in America. With America’s constant fluctuating economy, they have become a solid investment, and since their issue date in 1986 their popularity has flourished.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the “Gold Confiscation Act” in 1933, which made it illegal to own gold, thus putting an end to all circulation and private possession of any United States gold. However, during the presidency of President Richard Nixon, which was in the early 1970’s, the right to own gold was finally restored. In 1986, the Gold American Eagle program was authorized by President Ronald Reagan, which once again began the process of minting non-commemorative gold coins for collectors.
Eagle Coins – An Ideal Investment back in the days.
The American Gold Eagle Coin has definitely become the most demanded gold coin of its time, back in 1986. The coins have quickly become the top selling coin in the US.which come in $5, $10, $25, and $50 face value, but because of the rarity of the $25 Gold Eagle it has become one of the most collectible. The United States Congress has even deemed it legal that these coins can qualify as true investments through a personal IRA plan, and the United States Government guarantees that each Gold Eagle is .9167 (22-karat) in gold purity. Not to mention that the gold that goes into these astonishing coins must be mined from inside the United States by law.
American Gold Eagle Vs the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
Are American eagle gold coins still a good investment?
American Eagle gold coins can be a good investment for those who value liquidity, diversification, and a tangible store of value. However, it’s essential to carefully consider factors such as premiums, tax implications, and your long-term investment goals before making a decision. It’s also a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or investment professional for personalized guidance based on your individual financial situation and objectives. Ld coins can be a good investment for certain individuals.
Here are some reasons to be considered:
| Positive Aspects | Negative Aspects |
|---|---|
| High Liquidity: Recognized and Accepted in USA | Premiums over Spot |
| in small quantities the transaction is private and non-reportable. | Lower Purity (22k) |
| Gold is a great inflation edge and perfect for long-term investment strategies | Tax Implications |
| Buying and selling these coins is very easy | Short-Term Volatility |
- Store of Value: Gold has been a store of value for centuries, and American Eagle gold coins are no exception. They are made of 22-karat gold and are guaranteed by the United States government for their weight, content, and purity.
- Liquidity: American Eagle gold coins are highly liquid and can be easily bought and sold at many coin dealers, precious metals dealers, and some banks.
- Portfolio Diversification: Gold can help diversify an investment portfolio and provide a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
- High Premiums: American Eagle gold coins have relatively high premiums compared to other gold coins, making them an expensive option for investors
The high Liquidity. Main advantage.
American Eagle Gold Coins are recognized and accepted in the USA, and they offer high liquidity in the global market. They are considered legal tender, with each size valued at the denomination printed on it (at values of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty dollars). In fact, American Gold Eagle coins are the most widely-circulated and recognized gold bullion coins in the world. The US Congress officially recognizes American Gold Eagles, and the US Mint guarantees their weight and composition, making them highly sought after by investors The hope is that most, if not all, stackers are now aware that American Gold Eagles and American Silver Eagles consistently command higher prices than most other sovereign bullion coins. As pointed out, this premium is due to their liquidity advantage. Opting for more affordably priced foreign gold and silver coins may seem enticing, but selling them quickly can be quite challenging. The advice is to stick with U.S. government-backed coins, as it will save considerable headaches down the road. The recommendation is to Buy American!
The high Premiums over Spot. Main inconvenient.
The cost of an American Gold Eagle, which is around $1,900, is almost the same as a Gold Buffalo. Considering a spot price of $1,720, this disparity doesn’t align with the premium. Other options like the Canadian Maple Leaf, Krugerrands, Philharmonics, Britannias, and Kangaroos all come in at different price points, with a difference of about a hundred dollars between the Eagles and the Kangaroos on the high and low ends.
Therefore, if you’re solely looking at prices, it might not be the best time to invest in U.S. Mint coins. While some factors like familiarity and ease of selling might favor Eagles and Buffaloes, the current premium isn’t justified, and it’s advisable to consider other options like Britannias and Kangaroos, which come at a lower cost and similar ease of selling. However, it’s essential to weigh your personal preferences and long-term goals when making your gold coin investments.
Recently, a purchase was made of a beautifully graded NGC MS63 1924 double eagle, acquired for just $75 over spot from a local coin shop. Despite some fluctuations in the gold market, contentment remains with this acquisition. Due to the substantial premiums attached to U.S. gold coins, the preference has primarily been for alternatives such as French roosters, Swiss Helvetia’s, Sovereigns, Britannia’s, and even some Mexican coins (particularly the 20 Pesos featuring the Mayan calendar, which is still held dear). Prior to this, the collection included only a handful of smaller U.S. coins, many of which had seen wear and tear from previous use in jewelry or had been cleaned. An additional bonus was discovered, as the state exempts sales tax on bullion and specific collectible coins, resulting in significant savings compared to purchasing from dealers like APMEX or other eBay sellers. It has been resolved never to pay more than 5% above spot price moving forward. Just last week, some Britannia’s were acquired at just under 5% over spot, a considerable savings compared to the 10% premium paid for a selection of eagles and buffaloes a week prior. While it’s possible that the resale value might balance out in the future, there are no intentions of selling. It simply makes sense to maximize gold holdings within a budget. Speaking of premiums, recently, the premium (in relation to spot price) on one-ounce 2021 Buffalo gold coins listed by a prominent bullion dealer was calculated. The premium price per coin stood at $234.99 over spot, equating to a premium percentage of approximately 13.9% above spot. And this was considered a “Pre-Sale” deal.
American Gold Eagle Vs the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. Which one is better?
the analysis provides a comprehensive overview of various factors to consider when choosing between the American Gold Eagle and the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf as investment options. These factors range from purity and aesthetics to liquidity, tax advantages, and the potential for counterfeiting, allowing investors to make informed decisions based on their preferences and financial goals.
The American Gold Eagle is generally considered a wiser purchase than the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The American Gold Eagle and the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf are two of the most popular gold coins in the world. Here are some of the differences between the two coins:
American Gold Eagle Vs Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
- Contains 22-karat gold with small amounts of alloy to bolster durability and protect the coin’s resale value.
- Made of 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper.
- Available in various fractional sizes, making them popular among beginner and experienced investors.
- Trades on the value of all its precious metals combined, although mostly by the price of gold.
- Has a lower production of only 18.7 million coins in total to date, well below the 60 million gold Krugerrand coins.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Vs American Gold Eagle.
- Contains 24-karat gold, making it one of the purest gold coins in the world.
- Made of .99999 fine, or essentially pure gold.
- Available in various sizes, including 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz.
- Trades solely on the value of gold, as it is a fine gold coin.
- Has a lower premium than the American Gold Eagle.
- Prone to damage and scratches due to its purity, which can affect its value in the resale market.
Which one is the Best: Gold Eagle or Gold maple?
Liquidity and Return on Investment: The American Gold Eagle is a wiser purchase for individuals living in the United States due to its higher liquidity and potentially better returns when sold. It is considered the most liquid gold coin in the world, which means it is easily bought and sold in the market. This liquidity may lead to a slightly better return on investment compared to the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
When it comes to the resale value of gold coins. Although the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf has a lower premium than the American Gold Eagle, the Eagle usually has a higher resale value. This is because the American Gold Eagle contains small amounts of alloy to bolster durability and protect the coin’s resale value, while the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is made of pure 24kt gold, which can make it more prone to spotting over time. Additionally, the American Gold Eagle is the most liquid gold coin in the world and has a lower production than the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
Counterfeiting Concerns: The analysis mentions concerns about counterfeiting in the gold coin market, particularly with high-tech counterfeiters producing fake coins. It notes that counterfeiters often have difficulty replicating the fineness of the alloy in coins that are not pure gold. This may give an advantage to the American Gold Eagle (with its 917 fine gold content) under XRF analysis.
Legal Tender Classification and Tax Advantages: The American Gold Eagle and the Austrian Philharmonic are highlighted for their tax advantages in the United States. These coins do not require tax reporting when selling, making them potentially more attractive to investors looking to avoid additional paperwork. investors SHOULD seek gold coins classified as legal tender, as they may have tax advantages when sold. Coins not classified as legal tender could be subject to higher tax rates, potentially as high as 28% in the United States. Tax laws may vary by jurisdiction, so consulting a tax attorney is recommended.
The American Gold Eagle is a more durable coin that trades on the value of all its precious metals combined, while the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a purer coin that trades solely on the value of gold. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf also has a lower premium than the American Gold Eagle, but it is more prone to damage and scratches due to its purity.
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