Gold American Eagles

Gold American Eagles at Silver.com

The Gold American Eagle is the official gold bullion coin of the United States. These coins were first issued by the US Mint in 1986 and have been struck annually ever since. Learn more about these Gold American Eagles right here at Silver.com.

Series Background

The Gold Bullion Act of 1985 authorized the production of the Gold American Eagle. This act stated that the coin program needs to have four distinct sizes, and at least two strikes. Thus, in 1986, four BU weights (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz) were introduced, alongside a 1 oz proof strike. These coins debuted alongside the Silver American Eagle.

These coins have been issued annually ever since their release, particularly the BU coins. Proof coins have been issued annually except for 2009 due to economic uncertainty. Additionally, a burnished version was introduced in 2006 with all 4 weights being made available. Burnished coins took a two-year hiatus from 2009-2010 and returned in 2011 with just a 1 oz coin being made available. A 1/2 oz proof strike debuted in 1987, while the 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz options were introduced the following year.

Design

The design of this coin is the same regardless of the weight or strike you purchase. The obverse has always featured Lady Liberty, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. These designs were created for the $10 Eagle and the $20 Double Eagle back in 1907. This design was used on those coins until 1933.

The design shows Liberty walking in front-facing relief, holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The background contains rays of the sun along with the Capitol building.

The reverse has seen two designs over the years. From 1986 to the first half of 2021, Miley Busiek’s family of eagles was featured. A mother eagle was seen in a nest with her hatchlings, while a male eagle flew overhead. In the latter half of 2021, the design was updated to a portrait of a bald eagle, by Jennie Norris. Type 1 coins from 2021 feature Busiek’s design whereas Type 2 coins show the portrait by Norris.

Packaging

1 oz BU coins are available in three packaging options. Individual coins arrive in plastic flips, whereas you can also order tubes of 20 or a Monster Box of 500. 1/2 oz BU coins can be purchased individually in flips, or tubes of 40. 1/4 oz BU coins have the same options. 1/10 oz BU coins can be purchased in flips or tubes of 50.

Proof coins will arrive in a display box from the US Mint with a Certificate of Authenticity. Also available are 4-coin sets with all 4 sizes for any individual year. Burnished coins are also available in a display box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Certified Gold American Eagle

Another popular option is to purchase a certified Gold American Eagle. These coins have been graded and encapsulated by a professional coin grader, such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).

Coins are graded on the Sheldon Scale of 1 to 70, with 70 being the best grade possible. The two most popular grades are the following:

• MS/PF/PR70: Perfect specimen. No post-production imperfections. Each coin has its full, original mint luster.
• MS/PF/PR69: Near-perfect specimen. Each coin has its full, original mint luster with a max of two imperfections.

Investing in Gold American Eagles at Silver.com

For any questions about these gold coins or others, call the Silver.com team at 1-888-989-7223. Our team can also be reached via email or through our online chat feature.