2012 American Gold Eagle

The 2012 Gold Eagle will be available for order by the United States Mint’s authorized purchaser network starting on January 3, 2012. Soon thereafter, the coins should become available to the collectors and precious metals investors.

As with other bullion coins offered by the US Mint, distribution of the American Gold Eagles  takes place through a network of authorized purchasers. These companies are able to purchase the coins in bulk quantities directly from the Mint based on the market price of gold plus a percentage mark up. The coins are then resold to secondary dealers or the general public. Authorized purchasers must also maintain a two way market for the bullion coins, offering to either buy or sell.

The January 3, 2012 release date will include the availability of the most popular one ounce Gold Eagles as well as the fractional weight coins. Since the start of the program, coins have been minted in one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce sizes to accommodate different investment levels. For the past two years, the fractional weight coins were launched at a later date, separately from the one ounce coins.

Later in the year, the US Mint is also expected to release 2012 Proof Gold Eagle coins in a full range of weights. These numismatic versions are produced through a specialized minting process that involves specially prepared dies and blanks. The coins are struck multiple times for sharp relief and carry a cameo finish with frosted raised design elements against a mirrored background. The proof Gold Eagles are sold directly by the United States Mint, typically packaged in velvet lined boxes with certificates of authenticity.

The US Mint may also offer a second numismatic version, the 2012-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle. These coins are struck on specially burnished blanks and carry the “W” mint mark. The product was previously released from 2006 to 2008 in the full range of sizes. After a two year gap in production, the offering was resumed in 2011, but available only in one ounce size.

2012 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: 2012
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof and uncirculated)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

2012 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: TBD
Proof Mintage: TBD
Burnished Mintage: TBD

2011 American Gold Eagle

The 2011 Gold Eagle was first available on January 3, 2011. This was the date when the United States Mint began accepting orders for the one ounce bullion version of the coin from their authorized purchasers. In contrast to the start of sales in the prior two years, the allocation program was not imposed, meaning that the coins could be ordered in unrestricted quantities. Sales of fractional weight coin began in February.

After several tumultuous years for the US Mint’s most popular gold bullion coin offering, the present year is shaping up to be much more orderly. When demand for gold started to surge in 2008, Gold Eagles were frequently subject to sales suspensions, rationing, and delayed releases for some options. This occurred despite the legal requirement to supply the coins in quantities necessary to meet public demand. The situation seemed to culminate with the cancellation of the collector versions of the coins in 2009.

For 2011, the US Mint is no longer subject to the requirement to fulfill public demand for bullion coins before collector coin can be produced. This was the result of legislation passed towards the end of the prior year, which modified production requirements. Even without the change in law, the US Mint seems to have made progress in acquiring sufficient precious metals blanks and increasing production capacity.

Sales of the 2011 Proof Gold Eagle began at the US Mint on April 21, 2011. The US Mint increased some of the maximum product limits from the previous year. Limits for individual options were established at 30,000 one ounce, 15,000 one-half ounce, 16,000 one-quarter ounce, and 30,000 one-tenth ounce coins. The limit for the four coin set was 40,000 units. Initial sales levels have been somewhat muted for the offering, but steady. The coins are expected to remain available from the Mint throughout the remainder of the year.

On May 5, 2011, sales of the 2011-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle began at the US Mint. This represented a separate collector offering that had been canceled for the prior two years. The one ounce coins are struck on specially burnished blanks and carry the “W” mint mark. For some previous years, this version of the coin has remained overlooked, resulting in lower mintages. The US Mint offered the coins without a maximum mintage or ordering limits.

2011 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: 2011
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof and uncirculated)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

2011 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: TBD
Proof Mintage: TBD
Burnished Mintage: TBD

2011 Gold Eagles For Sale

1999-W Gold Eagle Struck with Unfinished Proof Dies

Perhaps as a result of the incredible demand for gold bullion experienced during the year, an unusual error or variety coin was created. The 1999-W Gold Eagle Struck with Unfinished Proof Dies were bullion coins that included the “W” mint mark below the date. Although not every collector is aware of these unusual coins, they represent a major rarity within the American Gold Eagle series.

The unusual coins came about after the West Point Mint struck a small number of $5 and $10 American Gold Eagle bullion coins with dies including the “W” mint mark. At the time, the “W” mint mark was only used for Proof Gold Eagles and bullion coins were struck without mintmarks.

It is generally believed that dies intended for striking proof versions of the coin were inadvertently placed into service for bullion coins. These dies did not receiving the final finishing treatment which results in coins struck with a cameo finish, however the coins did include the “W” mint mark. Designation as a variety or error coin, as well as the precise classification for this oddity are still being discussed.

The 1999-W $5 and $10 Gold Eagles Struck with Unfinished Proof Dies were not discovered until early 2000. Subsequent information provided by the United States Mint on die life, suggests that possibly 6,000 of the coins may have been produced for the $5 and $10 Gold Eagles. This assumes that only one die containing the “W” mint mark was used for each denomination. Population reports at the major grading services show far fewer pieces identified. Accordingly, these coins may be a more significant rarity than believed, or some may be residing unknown with bullion holdings assembled in 1999.

1986-W Gold Eagle PCGS PR70DCAM

In addition to precious metals investment, there is a demand for American Gold Eagles as collectibles. This may take the form of purchasing the limited mintage collectible versions of the coin produced by the US Mint. It may also take the form assembling sets of high grade PCGS and NGC Gold Eagles for either the bullion or collector coins.

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) are third party authentication and grading firms that accept submissions from coin dealers and collectors. They will verify the authenticity and evaluate each coin to determine a numeric grade. The coins will be encapsulated in a numbered holder which attests to the authenticity and indicates the grade.

Although nearly all American Gold Eagles exist in uncirculated grades, attaining perfect grades can be difficult. This is especially true for the bullion coins, which are not minted and handled with the special procedures afforded to the collectible proof and uncirculated coins. The highest grades awarded by NGC are NGC MS 70 for bullion and collectible uncirculated coins or NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo for proof coins. The highest grades that PCGS will award are PCGS MS70 for bullion and uncirculated coins and PCGS PR70DCAM for proof coins.

Some collectors seek to assemble PCGS or NGC American Gold Eagle collections in the highest grades possible. The scope of the collection can be narrowed by focusing on bullion coins, proof coins, or collectible uncirculated coins. Collectors can also focus on a single denomination, either one-tenth ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-half ounce, or one ounce coins.

PCGS Gold Eagles For Sale

NGC Gold Eagles For Sale

Proof Gold Eagles 4 Coin Set

In addition to the bullion coins, the United States Mint produces American Gold Eagle Proof Coins for collectors. These coins struck through a specialized mintage process and typically carry specific maximum authorized mintages. Proof Gold Eagles have been produced each year from 1986 to 2008 and carry premiums above the prices of their bullion counterparts.

Producing proof coins involves a special minting process during which coins are struck multiple times with specially prepared dies. The resulting coins exhibit sharp details and a cameo like appearance. The raised design elements appear frosted, while the background elements are mirrored. This gives the appearance of the design floating on liquid like fields.

Proof Gold Eagles are sold directly by the United States Mint to collectors, priced at a higher premium to gold value, as compared to the prices of regular bullion coins. The collector coins are typically placed within protective capsules within velvet lined presentation boxes with an official certificate of authenticity signed by the Director of the Mint.

In 1986, the US Mint only produced one ounce Proof Gold Eagles. In the following year, they also produced the one-half ounce proof coin, and sold a Two Coin Set. The following year, the remaining fractional weights  were added to the product line up, along with a 4 Coin packaged set. Each year from 1988 to 2008, the US Mint sold the four individual options and the set. In 2009, all options for the Proof Gold Eagle were canceled, as the US Mint diverted incoming gold blanks to the production of bullion coins.

All one ounce Proof Gold Eagles have been produced at the West Point Mint. The fractional weight Proof Gold Eagles were initially produced at the Philadelphia Mint from 1987 to 1993. After that date, the fractional weight proof coins were struck at the West Point facility.

Proof Gold Eagles For Sale

2010 American Gold Eagle

The 2010 Gold Eagle experienced another year of heightened demand, as the long running bull market for gold continued. The United States Mint began sales of the one ounce bullion coins on January 19, 2010, representing a later start than usual. The delayed was a consequence of the resurgence in demand for bullion coins which occurred in November 2009. Typically, the US Mint will begin producing bullion coins bearing the following year’s date around this time, allowing them to take orders in December for delivery in early January. Amidst heavy demand, the Mint decided to continue production of 2009-dated coins through year end, delaying the production and release of 2010-dated coins.

For the start of sales, the Gold Eagles were subject to the US Mint’s allocation program, which limited the number of coins that could be ordered at the authorized purchaser level. The allocation program was eventually lifted in March 2010. A few months later on June 10, the US Mint began accepting orders for the fractional weight bullion coins. Total bullion coin sales would show a decline from the prior year, but remain well ahead of historical levels.

The US Mint offered a full range of product options for the 2010 Proof Gold Eagle, starting on October 7. The annual collector offering had been canceled in the previous year and had remained somewhat in doubt for the current year, until the US Mint began to satisfy full public demand for the bullion version of the coin. The proof gold eagles were available individually across the four standard sizes or as a four coin set. Maximum production levels were established for the individual and set options at 25,000 one ounce coins, 15,000 one-half ounce coins, 16,000 one-quarter ounce coins, 27,000 one-tenth ounce coins, and 39,000 of the 4 Coin Sets.

Collectors responded enthusiastically to the return of the Proof Gold Eagle and set a fast pace for sales. After only one week of availability, sales figures for certain denominations exceeded the total sale amounts for the comparable 2008-dated releases. The individual one ounce coin was the first to sell out, followed by the individual half ounce, and then the 4 Coin Set. Sales for the remaining options would continue into the following year, until the final individual options sold out on January 25, 2011. Total sales and corresponding mintage levels reached the highest levels in years.

Although the US Mint was able to offer the proof version of the coin, the 2010-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle was canceled. The Mint had hoped to offer the collectible uncirculated coin bearing the “W” mint mark in one ounce size, but for a second year this was not possible.

During 2010, the price of gold experienced a steady rise, establishing a series of new all time highs. After starting the year at $1,121.50 per ounce, the price pulled back to the $1,050 level before rising to a high above $1,250. After another pull back, gold rose steadily to a peak of $1,421.00, eventually closing the year at $1,405.50.

2010 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: 2010
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

2010 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: 1,125,000 (1 oz), 53,000 (1/2 oz), 74,000 (1/4 oz), 435,000 (1/10 oz)
Proof Mintage (last reported sales): 60,000 (1 oz), 45,000 (1/2 oz), 45,000 (1/4 oz), 55,000 (1/10 oz)
Burnished Mintage: not issued

2010 Gold Eagles For Sale

2006 20th Anniversary American Gold Eagle Set

The 20th Anniversary Gold Eagle Set was issued by the US Mint to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the popular gold bullion and collector coin series. Each set contained three coins: the 2006-W Proof Gold Eagle, the 2006-W Uncirculated Gold Eagle, and the 2006-W Reverse Proof Gold Eagle.

The collectible proof and uncirculated coins contained in the set were available in other US Mint product offerings, but the 2006-W Reverse Proof Gold Eagle was unique to the set. It was also the first time that the US Mint had used this type of finish. The raised design elements of the coin are mirrored and the background fields are frosted. This is the reverse of the typical cameo proof finish.

The 20th Anniversary Gold Eagle Sets went on sale at the United States Mint on August 30, 2006. They were priced at $2,610 with an ordering limit of ten sets per household and a maximum production of 10,000. After approximately one month, the sets sold out and strong premiums developed on the secondary market for this unique product.

Separately, the US Mint offered the 20th Anniversary Gold and Silver Eagle Set. This set contained the one ounce 2006-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle and one ounce 2006-W Uncircualted Gold Eagle. This set was priced at $850, with a maximum production of 20,000, and limited to ten sets per household. The entire maximum production was sold after a number of months.

The major third party coin grading firms PCGS and NGC attribute coins from these sets as “20th Anniversary” as long as the customer submitted the coins in the unopened shipping box.

20th Anniversary Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: 2006
Mint Mark: W
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight: 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter: 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness: 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

20th Anniversary Set Mintages

Gold 3 Coin Set : 9,996
Gold and Silver 2 Coin Set: 19,145

20th Anniversary Gold Eagle Sets For Sale

1990 American Gold Eagle

The 1990 Gold Eagle bullion coins saw the patten of mintage declines continue. Since the American Gold Eagle had fist been offered in 1986, the sales for the coins experienced declines for six consecutive years before levels started to stabilize. As in prior years, US Mint offered the bullion coins in different weights which each carried a different legal tender face value. The one ounce coin had a face value of $50, the one-half ounce coin had a face value of $25, the one-quarter ounce coin had a face value of $10, and the one-tenth ounce coin had a face value of $5.

The specially minted 1990 Proof Gold Eagle was available for collectors. These coins were created with multiple strikes from specially prepared dies to create coins with sharp details and mirror like finishes. The one ounce coins were minted at the West Point Mint and carried the “W” mint mark. The fractional weight coins were minted in Philadelphia and carried the “P” mint mark. The proof coin mintages actually showed an uptick from the prior year levels. The four different size proof Gold Eagles were offered for sale individually, or as part of a 4 Coin Proof Set.

During 1990, the price of gold ranged from a low of $345.85 to a high of $416.83. The cumulative average price of gold for 1990 was $383.51 per ounce. Gold closed the year with a price of $392.75 per ounce.

1990 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: MCMXC (1990)
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (one ounce proof), P (fractional proof)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($10 Coin): 0.2727 troy oz (8.483 grams)
Diameter ($10 Coin): 0.866 inches (22.0 mm)
Thickness ($10 Coin): 0.070 inches (1.78 m)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

1990 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: 373,210 (1 oz), 31,000 (1/2 oz), 41,000 (1/4 oz), 210,210 (1/10 oz)
Proof Mintage: 62,401 (1 oz), 51,636 (1/2 oz), 62,674 (1/4 oz), 99,349 (1/10 oz)

1990 Gold Eagles For Sale

1987 American Gold Eagle

The 1987 Gold Eagle was second year of release for the new gold bullion coin. This year the bullion coins were available continuously throughout the year. In the prior year, the coins had only been available for the final three months. Despite a longer sales period, Gold Eagle bullion sales did not reach the high levels achieved in the prior year. Once again, the US Mint produced a full range of fractional weights to accommodate different investment sizes.

The 1987 Proof Gold Eagle saw its offerings expanded from the prior year. Instead of just the one ounce coin, this year the US Mint also produced the one-half ounce coin in proof version. In the following year, the range of Proof Gold Eagles would be expanded to cover all fractional denominations. For 1987, the one ounce proof coin carried the “W” mint mark for West Point, while the one-half ounce proof coin carried the “P” mint mark for Philadelphia.

During 1987, the price of gold moved steadily upwards. It began the year at $403.50 and closed the year at $484.10. In December, the price of gold reached a high of $499.75.

1987 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: MCMLXXXVII (1986)
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (one ounce proof), P (one-half ounce proof)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

1987 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: 1,045,500 (1 oz), 131,255 (1/2 oz), 269,255 (1/4 oz), 580,266 (1/10 oz)
Proof Mintage: 147,498 (1 oz), 143,398 (1/2 oz)

1987 Gold Eagles For Sale

1986 American Gold Eagle

The 1986 Gold Eagle was the inaugural year of the new gold bullion coin series produced by the United States Mint. Even though sales of the bullion coins did not begin until October 1986, the annual total for the year remained the highest on record until 1998. The bullion coins were offered in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sizes.

The biggest sellers were the largest and smallest sizes, demonstrating the variety of buyers across investment levels. The high level of sales was attributed to pent up demand for gold bullion. Prior to release, it had been difficult for most Americans to make investments in physical precious metals. Almost overnight, Gold Eagles became the best selling gold coin in the United States.

In addition to the bullion coins, the US Mint offered the 1986 Proof Gold Eagle for collectors. The proof version of the coin carried the “W” mint mark to denote mintage at the West Point Mint. The coin was offered in one ounce size and sold 446,290 coins. This represents the all time high for the Proof American Gold Eagle sales, which remains to this day. No fractional size Proof Gold Eagles were offered by the US Mint this year.

During 1986, the price of gold started the year at a low of $326.30 per ounce. It closed the year at $396.13 after trading as high as $438.00 in September. The price of gold had spiked just prior to the release of the new American Gold Eagle bullion coins.

1986 Gold Eagle Specifications

Date: MCMLXXXVI (1986)
Mint Mark: none (bullion), W (proof)
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight ($50 Coin): 1.0909 troy oz (33.930 grams)
Diameter ($50 Coin): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
Thickness ($50 Coin): 0.113 inches (2.87 mm)
Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)

1986 Gold Eagle Mintage

Bullion Mintage: 1,362,650 (1 oz), 599,566 (1/2 oz), 726,031 (1/4 oz), 912,609 (1/10 oz)
Proof Mintage: 446,290 (1 oz)

1986 Gold Eagles For Sale