American Gold Eagles
In 1986, the United States began striking gold bullion coins to compete with world bullion competitors, such as the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, the South African Gold Krugerrand, and the Chinese Gold Panda. The value of these coins was intended to be tied directly to their metal value, although in some cases (where mintages were low), a collector market has developed. The bullion value of these coins far outstrips their face value, making them the ideal product for numismatists and investors.
The US American Gold Eagle represents the US entry into Gold Bullion investing and became the first gold coin to be minted, in the US, since 1933. When the Gold Bullion Act of 1985 was passed, the legislation demanded that there would be four weight sizes offered and two different types of coins minted. This resulted in the American Gold Eagle containing the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz in sizes. There were also two conditions minted, brilliant uncirculated and proof (although the proof condition was only offered in 1 oz increments at first). The legislation also specified that the precious metals used, in the making of the American Gold Eagle, would come from US mines. Depending on the year, size of the coin, and market demand, the Gold Eagles’ mintages vary greatly. The American Gold Eagle is released annually and displays the same design. The US Mint throws out its dies each year to ensure a crisply minted coin every time.
American Gold Eagle Bullion Coins
Brilliant Uncirculated American Gold Eagles are produced more than the other types of Gold Eagles and contain a matte finish. Although brilliant uncirculated condition constitutes a coin with no signs of wear, scratching, or anything else that might indicate circulation, it is common for these coins to obtain breaks in luster, contact marks, or spotted surfaces; all of these are results from the minting process and do not decrease the coin’s value as a brilliant uncirculated coin. Brilliant uncirculated American Gold Eagles are packaged in tubes of 20 coins, sealed by the US Mint.
American Gold Eagle Coin Composition
The American Gold Eagle is considered to be 22-karats, instead of the ideal 24-karats. The 22-karat alloy is also referred to as “crown gold” since this was the English standard of metal content and hasn’t been used since 1834. The American Gold Eagle actually contains one solid ounce of .999 pure gold, and it also weighs more than one ounce, due to the silver and copper added. This alloy of metals results in a wear-resistant coin, allowing for it to uphold over time. Both the weight and gold purity are authorized by the US Mint and are recognized, by the US Congress, as true gold bullion coins.
Design History of American Gold Eagles
Reimagined by sculptor, Miley Busiek, the design of the US American Gold Eagle features the most iconic US coin design. The obverse follows the artistic design created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, for the $20 Gold Double Eagles, issued from 1907-1933. Saint-Gaudens was exclusively picked by president, Theodore Roosevelt, to design an image that would be a part of US history, while also reinvigorating US gold coinage. The Lady Liberty design has been used as a symbol of patriotism since the US began minting their own currency and her message of courage and power still reigns true.
The design features a fierce Lady Liberty carrying an olive branch in one hand and an ignited torch in the other. The olive branch represents the country’s desire for ultimate peace. The torch is the symbol of enlightenment and has been used, in the United States, as a means to freedom and liberty; enlightenment births freedom. Lady Liberty is stressed in a loose and flowing robe, marching with the US Capital building behind her. Next to her is the coin’s date of mintage; from 1986-1991, the coin’s date was cast in Roman Numerals, instead of the familiar Arabic Numeral System. Along the rim are 50 stars, each representing a US state, a design that has been used on other emblematic US coins, such as the Morgan Silver Dollar. The original design featured only 46 stars, since that was how many states existed from 1907-1933.
The reverse displays the emblem of the nation, hand-picked by the Founding Fathers. The bald eagle is the king of the birds of prey and represents fierce beauty, strength, and independence. There are 3 bald eagles represented on the reverse design of the American Gold Eagle. The eagles have made a nest of olive branches and have started reproducing, with an infantile eagle represented under its mother. The coin’s weight, purity, and monetary value are written underneath the eagle family.
Proof American Gold Eagle Coins
The Proof American Gold Eagles were minted, in just 1 oz increments, in 1986. By 1988, the Proof American Gold Eagle Coin became available in four sizes: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. Unlike its brilliant uncirculated counterpart, the Proof American Gold Eagle’s packaging is more aesthetically pleasing. The coin itself is encased in an appropriately fitted capsule then placed into a velvet presentation box with its Certificate of Authenticity. The presentation box is then protected by an official US Mint cardboard box.
Since the Proof American Gold Eagles are not minted, at the same rate as the brilliant uncirculated coins, their value is higher and is the ideal investment not just for collectors, but investors as well. The proof finish is described as mirror-like and although it contains the same alloy as the brilliant uncirculated version, making it a more durable coin, the proof finish is more sensitive to contact, resulting in an easily scratched coin. Numismatists prefer keeping their Proof Gold Eagles in their original packaging for protection.
All American Gold Eagles contain values that transcend the market rate of gold, since they also have select mintages and a monetary denomination, but the Proof American Gold Eagles can carry a value greater than any other Gold Eagle, specifically if it’s certified.
Burnished American Gold Eagle Coins
A term that was introduced recently, in 2006, “burnished” refers to where and how the American Gold Eagle was minted. All Burnished American Gold Eagles sport a “W” mint-mark, signifying its place of origin: the West Point Mint. Celebrating the successful 20th anniversary of the American Gold Eagle series, the US Mint released a new coin to join the record-breaking program. A burnished coin was produced for each size variety (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz), but switched to only minting 1 oz coins in 2009, due to a stall in proof and burnished Gold Eagle production.
The US Mint claims that the actual process of minting the burnished coins is very similar to the proof version but the outcome is quite different. Burnished coins greatly resemble brilliant uncirculated Gold Eagles, wherein they carry that same frosted finish, instead of a glossy one. The complicated and precise process begins with a blank put through a spinning drum. When that blank comes out, on the other end, a specialist handles the coin with white gloves to ensure maximum care. The coin is then placed, by hand, into the coin press, where a high pressure strike is released. This gives the burnished coin a more refined look, making every little detail sharper. Although the finish, of the burnished coin, has a matted look, the background is more mirror-like, giving the illusion that Lady Liberty is floating.
Certified American Gold Eagle Coins
As most coin collectors and numismatists know, a coin can be a considered brilliant uncirculated or proof, but that’s just the beginning of identifying a coin’s value. Dr. William Sheldon was an American psychologist by trade and a numismatist as a hobby. In 1948, Sheldon developed the Sheldon Numeric Scale, which became the foundation of grading and certifying coins. The Sheldon Numeric Scale dictates that a coin’s condition can fall between 1 and 70. Before this groundbreaking system, coins were graded mostly by physical appearance and could receive one of three grades.
There are many coin grading agencies out there but only two that are revered worldwide. The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) are two companies that issue coins their grades. These companies not only certify coins, but they also encase the graded coin into an official holder, preserving the coin and marking the holder with its earned grade. This alone has changed the coin collecting game, while also offering a peace of mind for collectors and investors.
When purchasing a Certified American Gold Eagle, there is information provided on the coin holder that is important to know. The first thing to notice is the coin’s strike type:
- MS: Short for “Mint-State;” refers to coins that have never been in circulation and are the same condition as when they were originally produced. Mint State coins will receive a grade ranging from 60-70 on the Sheldon Numeric Scale.
- PF/PR: Abbreviation for “Proof;” refers to the method of coin manufacture, made for eye appeal among collectors.
- SP: A “specimen” coin is a combination of strike type (somewhere in the middle of Mint State and Proof).
A Certified American Gold Eagle (or any certified bullion coin) will most likely come in one of two grades:
- MS/PF70: Bullion coins that have kept their original mint luster and contain zero post production flaws.
- MS/PF69: Bullion coins that contain 2 or less minute imperfections but still carry their original mint luster.
Other certification terms often used for bullion coins:
- First Strike: PCGS term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
- Early Release: NGC term designates coins that have been certified within the first 30 days of production by the contributing mint.
- UCAM/DCAM: Shortened for Ultra-Cameo and Deep-Cameo, these terms refer to the coin’s visual brilliance that is apparent on the surface by an unyielding, frosted finish and a deeply mirrored background luster.
Investment Opportunity
The American Gold Eagle Coins offer investors and collectors a seamless asset to their longterm investment goals. Recognized by most retirement and IRA accounts, the American Gold Eagle transcends its face value, while maintaining high intrinsic and numismatic value. The fractional American Gold Eagles come in sizes: 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. These smaller sizes represent a great entry level coin for nearly anyone. The American Gold Eagle program is the official bullion coin of the US and its popularity is not surprising.
Posted by:
Jack Dempsey, President
401 Gold Consultants LLC
jdemp2003@gmail.com