American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins

These coins come in four denominations: 1/10 oz, which has a face value of $5; ¼ oz, which is marked as a $10 coin; ½ oz with a $25 face value; and 1 oz with a $50 face value. Not surprisingly, the higher-denomination coins are larger than the lower denominations, but the face values are largely irrelevant since the coins trade for the going rate of gold. They are seen as solid investments because they are the only coins in the world whose contents are guaranteed by the government of the United States.

Although the price of an American Eagle is mostly related to its weight, the coin does have some numismatic value. As with any coin, surface wear and tear can affect its price. To help with the coin’s durability and to prevent scratching, the small percentage of the coin that is not made of gold consists of silver and copper.

There are also proof versions of the American Eagle that were made for collectors and the public at-large at the U.S. Mint in West Point, New York. These American Eagles, which are branded with the ‘W’ mintmark, are cased, authenticated, and sold through the mint itself.

While the coin’s design has changed little in its brief history, there has been one important variation. From 1986 to 1991, the dates on the coins were displayed in Roman numerals. Subsequent gold American Eagles dating from 1992 until the present feature Arabic numerals.

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