On April 12, 2018, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to become Director of the United States Mint, David J. Ryder, assumed that position, being the first person to hold it since the departure former director Edmund C. Moy in 2011. The U.S. Mint had previously been run by a series of officials serving in an acting capacity in the interim. Ryder would implement many changes at the Mint during his tenure from introducing new reverse designs for America Silver Eagles and American Gold Eagles to partnering with several foreign mints on joint releases, issuing commemorative gold coins using the statutory authority of the mint and releasing ultra-low mintage Silver and Gold Eagles.
In 2018 the price of gold declined for the year by 1.15%, starting off at $1,312.50 and finishing at $1,281.61. From May to August, it kept moving down, declining as much as 8%, and then from September it started going back up. Analysts attributed gold’s performance that year mainly to a stronger dollar.
Proof Coin
On March 1, the 2018-W Proof American Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) went on sale. The $50 coin with no mintage or order limit but a product limit with 25,000 coins was initially priced at $1,677.50, and opening sales were 1,322 coins. The $25 coin with a product limit of 7,100 coins and no mintage or order limit went on sale for $855 with opening sales of 537 coins. The $10 coin with a product limit of 7,100 coins went on sale for $440 with opening sales of 781 coins. The $5 coin with a product limit of 22,000 coins was priced at $187.50 and had opening sales of 2551. The four-coin set with a product limit of 18,000 sets went on sale for $3,107.50 and had opening sales of 2803 sets. Final mintages were 15,565 coins for the $50 piece; 9,204 for the $25 coin; 12,770 with a $10 coin; and 21,156 for the $5 coin, which includes the coins in the four-coin set.
Burnished Uncirculated $50 Coin
On July 12, the 2018-W Burnished Uncirculated $50 Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) was launched with a mintage and product limit of 10,000 coins, which contrasted with prior years when there was no limit. The initial price was $1,590. opening sales were 4,149 coins, by early October sales were 7,468 and final sales were 8,518.
2018 Gold Eagle Specifications
- Date: 2018
- Mint Mark: bullion (none), W: Proof and uncirculated
- Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
- Weight ($50 gold): 1.0909 troy ounces (33.930 grams)
- Diameter ($50 gold): 1.287 inches (32.7 mm)
- Thickness: 0.13 inches (2.87 mm)
- Designers: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (obverse), Miley Busiek (reverse)
2018 Gold Eagle Mintage
- Bullion Mintage: 191,000 (1 oz), 32,000 (½ oz) 62,000 (¼ oz), 230,000 (1/10th oz)
- Proof Mintage: 15,565 (1 oz), 9,204 (½ oz), 12,770 (¼ oz), 21,156 (1/10th oz)
- Burnished Uncirculated Mintage: 8,518
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