1 oz American Gold Eagle Coins
The Gold Eagle was the first official U.S. Gold bullion coin and remains the most popular gold coin in the United States today. The American Gold Eagle was introduced after the passage of the Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and then officially released in 1986 to kick off this popular series. These U.S. Mint gold coins are backed by the United States Government and have a face value backed by the U.S. dollar. The 1 oz Gold Eagle is the most popular size among investors, as it contains one troy ounce of U.S.-backed gold.
American Eagles use the 22-karat standard established for gold circulating coinage over 350 years ago. They contain their stated amount of fine gold plus small amounts of alloy. This creates harder coins that resist scratching, which can diminish the resale value of the coin. These 1 oz gold coins have remained the most popular gold coin in the world since their inception. They are highly liquid on the market and easily bought and sold around the globe.
The 1 oz American Gold Eagle coin is a popular investment coin that has been produced by the United States Mint since 1986. Here are some key facts about this coin:
- Size: The 1 oz American Gold Eagle has a diameter of 32.7 mm and a thickness of 2.87 mm. As the name suggests, it contains 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of gold.
- Legal tender: Although the American Gold Eagle has a face value of $50, it is worth much more than that due to its gold content. In fact, the value of the coin is based on the current market price of gold.
- Purity and authenticity: The American Gold Eagle is guaranteed by the United States Government to be 100% genuine and to contain the amount of gold specified on the coin.
- Availability: The American Gold Eagle is widely available from coin dealers and other sources. It is also eligible for placement in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Overall, the American Gold Eagle is a popular choice for investors who want to own physical gold to hedge against inflation, currency fluctuations, and economic uncertainty.
Type 1 vs Type 2 American Gold Eagles
President Theodore Roosevelt picked Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1905 to help redesign U.S. gold coinage. In circulation from 1907 to 1933, Saint-Gaudens' most notable achievement was the Lady Liberty design seen on the Double Eagle. In Saint-Gaudens' original design, Liberty is walking forward with the U.S. Capitol building at her feet, the rays of the setting sun behind her and 46 stars surrounding her along the coin's rim. The U.S. Mint chose to revive this design in the inception of the Gold American Eagle program. Gold Eagles have the same image of liberty on the obverse.
The design was amended in 1912 when Congress authorized the addition of two stars to his design to recognize the addition of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union. The design was amended again when chosen for American Gold Eagle; two stars were added to acknowledge the addition of Hawaii and Alaska to the Union.
The reverse featured a family of nesting bald eagles designed by Miley Busiek. The image depicts a male bald eagle returning to the nest with branches in its talons. A female American Bald Eagle is resting in the nest and guarding the young hatchlings. Created in 1986, this design is used solely on the American Gold Eagle, and was chosen for its artistic depiction of family.
In 2021, the United States Mint made a significant design change to the American Gold Eagle bullion coins. This change marked the first major redesign of the coin since its introduction in 1986.
The new, Type 2 design features a depiction of a bald eagle, America's national bird, in a close-up with incredible detail. The eagle shown is meant to symbolize the strength and freedom often associated with America. The reverse side of the coin features a rendition of Lady Liberty designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
The new design was introduced to mark the 35th anniversary of the American Gold Eagle, and it was created by artist Jennie Norris. The U.S. Mint has described the design as "a fresh take on a classic icon."
1 oz Gold Eagle Mintage Figures
American Gold Eagle bullion coins are struck according to public demand, meaning this demand determines the mintages for each year. Some years when demand and corresponding mintages were lower, collectible value can exist for the coins beyond their Precious Metal value. Some of the larger yearly mintages include the first year of release in 1986 with 1,362,650 or 1999, which saw the largest mintage yet, with 1,505,026 1 oz Gold Eagles released. The years with lower mintages but higher collectible value included numbers as low as 108,000 in 2019.
The mintages for the 1 oz American Gold Eagles have been:
- 1986 – 1,362,650
- 1987 – 1,045,500
- 1988 – 465,500
- 1989 – 415,790
- 1990 – 373,219
- 1991 – 243,100
- 1992 – 275,000
- 1993 – 480,192
- 1994 – 221,663
- 1995 – 200,636
- 1996 – 189,148
- 1997 – 664,508
- 1998 – 1,468,530
- 1999 – 1,505,026
- 2000 – 433,319
- 2001 – 143,605
- 2002 – 222,029
- 2003 – 416,032
- 2004 – 417,019
- 2005 – 356,555
- 2006 – 237,510
- 2007 – 140,016
- 2008 – 710,000
- 2009 – 1,493,000
- 2010 – 1,125,000
- 2011 – 857,000
- 2012 – 675,000
- 2013 – 758,500
- 2014 – 425,000
- 2015 – 594,000
- 2016 – 817,500
- 2017 – 228,500
- 2018 – 191,000
- 2019 – 108,000
- 2020 – 745,000
- 2021 Type 1 – 456,500
- 2021 Type 2 – 665,500
- 2022 – 850,000
Gold Eagle Price
The price of a Gold Eagle depends on the spot price of gold at the time of purchase. The spot price of gold is the market price at which one ounce of gold can be bought and sold for instant delivery. The gold spot price is constantly changing, making it essential for buyers to stay updated on any performance indicators, like market conditions and current events, because they heavily impact the buying and selling of gold.
The 1 oz gold coin price will be the spot price of gold, in addition to a premium. Supply and demand and market fluctuations will contribute to the American Gold Eagle price. In addition, premiums will vary based on the condition of the coin, the fractional size, and whether it is encased in TEP. For example, a cull coin will have a lower premium than a brilliant uncirculated (BU) coin in TEP. Smaller fractional coins have higher premiums than their larger counterparts. Investors should account for the spread when investing in gold bullion to ensure the gold eagles they choose match their investment strategy. For example, a cull coin will have a lower premium than a brilliant uncirculated (BU) coin in TEP. Smaller fractional coins have higher premiums than their larger counterparts. For example, a cull coin will have a lower premium than a brilliant uncirculated (BU) coin in TEP.
For investors that love the appeal of Gold Eagles and would like to diversify their portfolios with other metals, consider the 1 ounce Silver Eagle as well. This has a different, yet still beloved design that is sought by collectors and investors alike.
Burnished, Cull, BU, or Graded: What 1 oz Gold American Eagle Works Best
If investors and collectors are searching for more options for their 1 oz Gold Eagles, here is some information on the different options available:
- Burnished: A burnished coin is a specially treated coin that has a matte finish and is struck with specially polished dies. The burnished version of the 1 oz Gold American Eagle is a collector's version of the coin and has a lower mintage than the bullion version. Burnished coins come with a certificate of authenticity and are often sold in a protective capsule or display case.
- Cull: Cull coins are coins that have significant damage or wear and tear and are not suitable for collectors or investors who want pristine, high-quality coins. Cull coins can be sold at a lower price than other versions of the coin, but their value is limited due to their condition.
- BU (Brilliant Uncirculated): BU coins are newly minted coins that have not been circulated but may have minor flaws or imperfections due to the minting process. BU coins are a popular option for investors who want to own physical gold without paying a premium for collector's versions of the coin.
- Graded: Graded coins are coins that have been professionally graded and authenticated by a third-party grading service. These services examine the coin for its condition, authenticity, and other factors, and assign it a grade on a scale of 1-70. The higher the grade, the better the condition of the coin. Graded coins are highly sought after by collectors and investors who want to own coins with a guaranteed level of quality and authenticity.
It's worth noting that the value of a coin can vary depending on its condition, rarity, and other factors, so it's important to do your research and consult with a trusted dealer or grading service before buying or selling any coins.
For investors and collectors set on Gold Eagles but looking for a more affordable entry point, consider the one-tenth ounce Gold Eagle. This is the smallest available size on the market, and it allows people to begin investing in gold at a lower starting cost.
Buy Physical Gold from APMEX
When you buy Precious Metals, you invest in assets that transcend the volatile market. Bullion can play an essential role in a modern portfolio, as it hedges against the uncertainty investors typically find with other common investments, such as stocks and bonds. Gold and silver can be a game-changer for your investment strategy. Explore the benefits of buying gold and silver.
For those seeking alternatives beyond 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coins, our collection at APMEX offers a comprehensive range of options. Explore our inventory, which includes various sizes of gold, ranging from bars to rounds, providing flexibility to suit diverse investment preferences. Visit our page on gold by weight to find the perfect addition to your portfolio.
Buy Gold Eagles at APMEX
If you need assistance purchasing the Gold American Eagle or should you have any issues placing an order for a Gold Eagle coin on APMEX.com, we are eager to assist you. Our team of highly trained customer service associates can answer any questions on American gold coins and can be reached during regular business hours.
You can also sell gold to APMEX by calling our Purchasing team to speak to one of our representatives or learn more about how to sell gold to APMEX.
APMEX Customer Reviews
For 20 years, APMEX has provided customers with an easy shopping experience they can trust. We pride ourselves on transparency and consider every customer review to be valuable feedback. Please take a moment to read our reviews from valued customers on American Eagle Gold coins and more. We welcome and encourage feedback – each review allows us to improve your Precious Metals buying experience.
