Description

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.