First produced in 1986, American Gold Eagle Bullion Coins were authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1985. Minted by the United States government, these are not circulated coins, but rather coins purchased for their investment value. If the value of gold continues to soar, buyers have the opportunity to cash in on this upward trend by investing in American-made coins engraved with striking symbolic imagery. The obverse artwork pays homage to the Saint-Gauden design first used on the 1907 $20 gold coin, while the reverse portrays a family of bald eagles, one of America’s favorite representations of freedom. Made of 22-karat gold that, by law, must originate from U.S. mines, they also contain durable silver and copper. An American Gold Eagle Coin contains 91.67 percent gold, 3 percent silver, and 5.33 percent copper. Available in four denominations, people can purchase American Gold Eagle coins online through Internet merchants and auctions sites like eBay. They can also buy these valuable coins through participating banks, investment brokers, and precious metals dealers.
Investing in American Gold Eagle Coins
The intrinsic beauty and value of American Gold Eagle Coins make them an attractive opportunity for investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio. These coins are backed by the U.S. government and guaranteed to contain their stated weight in gold. Gold has been a valuable asset for many thousands of years, and its status as one of the most precious metals in the world is not about to change anytime soon, if gold values are any indication. Gold is an investment that holds strong even during times of economic uncertainty, which is one of the main benefits of buying gold coins. As people become increasingly wary of investing in stocks and bonds, American gold coins stand out as a sound and secure investment for the future, and they can even be included in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The U.S. Mint also provides platinum and silver American Eagle Bullion Coins to investors.
Though they are not circulated as currency, gold American Eagle Coins are considered legal tender at their face value, but can be sold for their weight in gold at dealers around the world. American bullion is sold at market price, with a small premium tacked on to cover coinage and distribution costs. People can feel confident purchasing their investment gold from the United States government, and the ability to hold this valuable asset in the palm of their hand only adds to the feeling of financial security. As visually appealing as they are valuable, American gold coins are a convenient and affordable way for buyers to work towards greater diversification of their investments.
The Four Denominations of American Gold Eagle Coin
The design of American Gold Eagle coins includes the year of production, the weight in gold, and the symbolic denomination. Buyers who are planning to purchase this type of gold coin as an investment or a gift will need to choose between the four different denominations, which vary in size and gold content.
Coin Specifications
Buyers can reference this chart to better understand the differences between the four sizes of American Gold Eagle Bullion coins. Using the market price for gold, which is reported daily by many online sources and in many newspapers, the weight information can be used to determine the current value of each denomination. Buyers will want to calculate the fair market price of any gold coin they intend to purchase; to be sure they are getting their money’s worth for the investment.
Denomination | Gold Content | Total Weight | Thickness | Diameter |
One Ounce ($50) | 1 troy ounce (31.104 grams) | 1.0909 troy oz (33.931 g) | 0.113 in. (2.87 millimeters) | 1.287 in (32.70 mm) |
One - Half Ounce ($25) | .500 troy oz (15.552 g) | 0.5455 troy oz (16.966 g) | 0.085 in (2.15 mm) | 1.063 in (27.00 mm) |
One - Quarter Ounce ($10) | 0.250 troy oz (7.776 g) | 0.2727 troy oz (8.483 g) | 0.070 in (1.78 mm) | 0.866 in (22.00 mm) |
One - Tenth Ounce ($5) | 0.100 troy oz (3.110 g) | 0.1091 troy oz (3.393 g) | 0.049 in (1.26 mm) | 0.650 in (16.50 mm) |
Buyers should be aware that American Gold Eagles are technically considered legal tender at their face values of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty dollars, but their intrinsic value based on gold content is much higher, so it’s not advisable to use them in this way. Instead, they should be sold based on the current price of gold, which is constantly fluctuating according to market value.
Collecting Gold Eagle Coins
Aside from being solid investment pieces, American Eagle gold coins are also considered a collector’s item. Some numismatists prefer to collect American Gold Eagle proof coins, which are limited edition coins that are struck using a special method that gives the coin a more contrasted appearance with a frosted look on the raised portion of the engraving, and a shiny, polished background. Because they are struck multiple times, the detail on proof coins is often much finer than that which is seen on a standard coin, and their quality often leads to higher prices. Uncirculated American Gold Eagle coins are another option for collectors, first offered by the U.S. Mint in 2006. Though they are very similar in appearance to other American Eagle bullion coins, this type of Gold Eagle is made using burnished blanks that are hand fed into a special coin press, and they are only available in the one ounce size. After careful inspection, uncirculated coins are placed in a protective plastic case and mounted in a decorative display box which includes a certificate of authenticity. Collectors can also look for a 20 th anniversary Gold Eagle set released by the U.S. Mint in August of 2006, which includes a one-ounce proof, a one-ounce uncirculated coin, and a commemorative one-ounce reverse proof. These sets remain highly collectible since there are only 1,000 in existence.
Collectors who are interested in buying standard-issue American Eagle Gold Bullion rather than proofs or uncirculated coins may decide to focus on examples from a particular year or range of years, or they may simply be browsing for an addition to a broader collection of American - minted coins. With year-to-year variations in productions levels and demand, certain years are considered more desirable, and careful research will help build a collection that is both financially and historically valuable. Though the general design of the American Gold Eagle coin has not changed, it’s interesting to note the U.S. Mint used Roman numerals to date American Eagle Bullion from 1986 to 1991, at which point they switched over to Arabic notation.
Where to Find American Gold Eagle Bullion Coins
Only uncirculated and proof coins can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint, while official American gold bullion is distributed through a network of Authorized Purchasers who then sell the coins to secondary retailers. Investors can purchase American Gold Eagles through dealers who specialize in coins and precious metals, and they are also sold at some financial institutions such as banks and brokerage houses. Private sellers also frequently decide to sell off their American Gold Eagle coins as a means of liquidating investment assets for their cash value. Many coin and precious metals dealers maintain retail sites that can be accessed via the Internet, and buyers also have the option of browsing the American Eagle gold coins for sale through online auction sites like eBay.
Buying American Eagle Gold Coins on eBay
If you are interested in purchasing American Eagles on eBay, you can start by searching the auction listings, where you will find many coins for sale in the Bullion category. By getting to know various reputable sellers, you’ll feel confident purchasing investment coins on eBay.
Sort Listings by Price
Once you know how much you’d like to spend on American Gold Eagle coins, you can always sort search results by price. This will also help you determine which sellers are offering the best deal on the denominations you are interested in buying.
Know the Seller
Since bullion coins can be a pricey investment, you’ll want to get to know the seller before making a purchase. You can always ask to see a certificate of authenticity if one is not readily available in the listing. Check to see if other satisfied customers have left positive Feedback on a seller’s profile. You can also look for listings from top - rated sellers for the highest level of customer service and reliability.
Conclusion
The price of gold is subject to market circumstance just like any other investment, but over time, it remains a favored alternative to stocks and bonds. Whether they are purchased as a valuable asset or as collector’s items, American Gold Eagle Coins are a solid addition to any investment portfolio. Buyers may be interested in starting a collection of gold coins, or they may simply want the opportunity to own several ounces of gold before the price fluctuates again. Either way, shoppers will need to decide how much money they want to invest in American bullion, and then they can choose coins accordingly. Gold is a perpetually sound investment due to its rarity and preciousness, and putting money towards gold coins that are backed by the United States government allows buyers added assurance of quality and content. People who are interested in American Gold Eagle coins, which are now considered the most popular investment bullion coin in the world, will find many coins available through eBay Stores and auction listings.
