The Gold Eagle

The American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the United States. Authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985. In 1986, Liberty, as depicted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, was selected as the design that would grace the obverse of the American Eagle Gold Coins. The Saint-Gaudens design first appeared on the United States’ $20, or double-eagle, gold piece in 1907, where it remained until 1933. American Eagle Gold Coins have been produced and sold in both proof and bullion finishes since 1986. They have always featured a rendition of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman’s magnificent Walking Liberty design, originally prepared and executed for the Nation’s first circulating half-dollar coin in 1916. The reverse design, by sculptor Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.

Gold Eagles minted 1986-1991 are dated with Roman numerals. In 1992, the U.S. Mint switched to Arabic numbers for dating Gold Eagles. These coins are produced at the West Point Mint in West Point, New York and carry the mint’s mark (“W”) beneath the date. They are legal tender for all debts public and private at their face values. These face values do not reflect their intrinsic value which is much greater and is mainly dictated by their troy weight and the current precious metal price. Investing in Gold Eagles increases your portfolio’s diversity. They bring balance, because their value often moves independently of stocks and bonds. They offer liquidity, meaning they’re easy to buy and sell. And in this fast-paced world of electronic investing, Gold Eagles are tangible investments whose beauty and artistry you can literally enjoy in the palm of your hand. You can even include them in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).