Gold and silver bullion investors across the world have bought the American Eagle silver coin and the American Eagle gold coin for their spectacular design as well as their strong investment value. We have outlined the reasons why these beautiful coins from the US Mint have been so successful since their release in 1986.
What are the US Eagle coins?
The American silver Eagle coins and the American gold Eagle coins were re-designed in 1986 following The Gold Bullion Coin Act and The Liberty Coin Act of 1985 that were brought in during Ronald Regan’s presidency.
Under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 it’s stated that only the US Mint could strike the gold and silver bullion coins, among which was the American Eagle coin. It also stated that only gold that has been mined inside the US could be used in the production of gold bullion coins by the US Mint.
Are American Eagle coins legal tender?
You can use any of the modern releases of the American gold Eagle coins as legal tender, as they have a set value under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985.
This new law also detailed the set value of each US Eagle gold bullion coin, which is as follows:
- 1oz coin to be valued at $50
- 1/2oz coin to be valued at $25
- 1/4oz coin to be valued at $10
- 1/10oz coin to be valued at $5
However, the value of the gold bullion in these coins is much higher than that of their tender value, often reaching over a thousand dollars, which is why these gold bullion American Eagle coins are seen as such a highly prized investment, especially during uncertain economic times when the stock markets fluctuate and gold tends to rise.
How many versions of American Eagle gold coins are there?
The American Eagle gold coin has been struck in a number of sizes and currently there are four different sizes of the American Eagle gold coin available to purchase.
- The 1/10oz coin weighs 3.3930g, has a fine gold content of 3.110g and measures 16.5mm in diameter
- The 1/4oz coin weighs 8.4830g, has a fine gold content of 7.776g and measures 22.0mm in diameter
- The 1/2oz coin weighs 16.9660g, has a fine gold content of 15.552g and measures 27.0mm in diameter
- The 1oz coin weighs 33.9313g, has a fine gold content of 31.104g and measures 32.7mm in diameter
Are there rare versions of the US Eagle gold coin?
There is a special variety of the Double Eagle gold coin, which is called the “Saint Gaudens High relief Roman Numerals 1907”, which has the date 1907 in Roman numerals instead of the Arabic numbers. This coin was eventually discontinued in 1933 until it was re-struck with a new modern design in 1986.
When the American Eagle gold coins were first minted in 1986 until 1991, they were depicted with Roman numerals but any American Eagle gold coins that were struck after 1991 are depicted with standard Arabic numerals.
Is the American Eagle coin made of pure gold?
The American Eagle gold coin is mostly pure gold bullion but a small percentage of it is in fact made from a metal alloy comprising of 5.33 per cent copper and 3 per cent silver. This was added to strengthen the coin because gold is such a soft metal.
The US Eagle silver coin design since 1986
The design on all American Eagle silver coins has the ‘Walking Liberty’ symbol on the obverse or the front side, which was originally adapted from a much older 1916 design by US sculptor Adolph A. Weinman.
The reverse side has an image of a heraldic eagle and a shield, holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons with 13 stars depicted above its head, which represent the original 13 American colonies when they won their independence from the UK.
The reverse side was designed back in 1986 by John Mercanti, who was working for the US Mint at the time. The words depicted on this side read ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’ and ‘1oz, FINE Silver – ONE DOLLAR’.
The US Eagle gold coin design since 1986
The obverse side of the US Eagle gold bullion coin was inspired by an original design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. His older coins which are referred to as ‘eagles’, were originally minted in the year of his death, 1907.
First struck in 1986, the design features a standing Lady Liberty holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in another. You can clearly see the word ‘LIBERTY’ above her head and on the bottom right hand side of the coin, the year it was minted is displayed.
The reverse side of the coin depicts a male American bald eagle with an olive branch in its beak, descending to roost with a female bald eagle and their hatchlings. This design symbolises family unity and the American national spirit.
To the right of the coin are the words ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM’, to the left hand side the words ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ is visible and above the eagle family are the words ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’, with the gold coin purity level clearly depicted at the bottom of the coin. For example, ‘1oz FINE GOLD – 50 DOLLARS’.
What sizes is the American Eagle silver coin made in?
There is only one size of the American Eagle silver coin which is the 1oz coin, measuring 40.6mm in diameter. Its purity level is .999 and the coin in total weighs 31.1000g.
Are US Eagle coins considered a good investment?
After the modern US Eagle coins were released in 1986, they have gone on to become one of the most popular gold and silver coin investments in the world. Investors’ confidence is buoyed by the origin of the coins – the official US Mint – and they’re recognised around the world as a trustworthy gold bullion product.
If you want to invest in American Eagle gold bullion coins or American Eagle silver bullion coins, then you can browse the selections available at The Gold Bullion Co. today.
