American Gold Eagle

The first American Gold Eagle was struck by the U.S. Mint in 1986. The Gold Eagle is minted in 1/10th, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 ounce denominations. The face value of the coins are $5, $25, $50 and $100 respectively. Although the American Gold Eagle is a legal tender coin of the United States it is not circulated nor is it available at face value.
At the time of this writing the prices for new coins are around; 1/10th $110, 1/4 $225, 1/2 $450 and 1 ounce $900, but as the gold price rises so do these coins. Just like it is with other coins the American Gold Eagle also appreciates in value because of its collectability. Older dated Gold Eagles often sell at much higher rates.

When you are considering an investment one of the most important considerations is its liquidity. Liquidity refers to how quickly and easily it can be converted into cash or other asset. Gold Eagles are the official gold bullion of the United States and are therefore highly recognized and accepted. In fact these coins are the most popularly traded form of bullion in American investment markets. They are also widely accepted at places like brokerage houses, gold and jewelry shops, coin shops and many banks. All this means that the Gold Eagle is very easy to trade or liquidate. Gold Eagles may even be used to fund your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Keeping up with the value of your Gold Eagles is relatively simple. Your local newspaper probably reports the current gold value, and of course you can look it up anytime you want online. This value is referred to as the “spot” value. A premium, to take care of minting and distribution costs, is added to the spot price of gold to determine the price of the Gold Eagles.

When selling your Gold Eagles reputable dealers will have an established buying priced based upon the spot value. Get to know what rates various markets are offering and start watching the price of gold. You will always know the liquidatable value of your gold.
Keep in mind that once your Gold Eagles start to age they are likely to go up in value aside from the gold content. Gold Eagles are also highly collected coins and so demand for older dates continues to grow. Don’t make the mistake of selling a $1500 coin for $1000. The price of gold and the value of the Gold Eagles changes every day so it is a good idea to stay informed.
American Gold Eagle Specifications:
Minted: 1986 – Present
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Obverse Augustus Saint-Gaudens (Rendition)
Reverse Miley Busiek
1/10 Troy oz Gold Eagle coin
Diameter: 16.50 mm
Thickness: 1.19 mm
Gross weight: 0.1091 troy ounce (3.393 g)
Face value: $5.00
1/4 Troy oz Gold Eagle coin
Diameter: 22 mm
Thickness: 1.83 mm
Gross weight: 0.2727 troy ounce (8.483 g)
Face value: $10.00
1/2 Troy oz Gold Eagle coin
Diameter: 27 mm
Thickness: 2.24 mm
Gross weight: 0.5454 troy ounce (16.965 g)
Face value: $25.00
1 Troy oz Gold Eagle coin
Diameter: 32.70 mm
Thickness: 2.87 mm
Gross weight: 1.0909 troy ounce (33.930 g)
Face value: $50.00
Written by David Slone, Copyright 2008 CoinCollectorGuide.com