2022 was the first full year in which the new reverse of the American Gold Eagle introduced in 2021 was used on all versions of the Gold Eagle – bullion, proof and burnished uncirculated.
As for the spot price of gold, there had been hopes in some quarters that after the consolidation period in 2021, prices might move strongly higher in 2022 as inflation remained high and persistent; geopolitical tensions reached the highest point in decades after Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February; and concerns continued to grow about the United States and world economies, which were under pressure from the impact of Western sanctions on Russia, rising oil prices, the pandemic and more.
But so far gold has been performing much like it did in 2021. It began the year at $1,829.05, hit a high of $2,043 on March 8 as the war in Ukraine heated up and spent most of the first half of the year between $1800 and $1900.
Bullion Coin
As for sales of the 2022 American Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay), as usual they were strong in January. The $50 coin sold 123,500 coins that month; the $25 coin sold 45,000; the $10 sold 64,000; and the $5 sold 195,000. As the year progressed, the $50 coin continued to do well, even reaching 140,500 in March; the $25, which is typically the lowest seller, saw its sales down to nothing in February and between 1,000 and 2,500 for the next three months; the $10 did better ranging between 4-20,000 through May; and the $5 coin also did well, selling between 25-75,000 a month through May.
Proof Coin
The 2022-W Proof American Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) went on sale on March 17. The $50 coin had a mintage limit of 16,000 and product limit of 6,000 and its debut price was $2,850. Initial sales were 5,119. The $25 coin had a mintage limit of 12,000 and product limit of 2,000. Its debut price was $1,450 and it sold 1,982 coins the first couple days. The $10 coin had a mintage limit of 14,500 and product limit of 4,500. It was priced initially at $752.50 and sold 4,279 coins in the first four days. The $5 coin had a mintage limit of 24,000 and product limit of 14,000. It was priced to start at $330 and sold 7,930 coins in the first four days. And the 4-coin set had no mintage limit and a product limit of 10,000. It was priced initially at $5,332.50 and sold 8,703 units to start.
The $25 coin and 4-coin became “currently unavailable” within minutes on launch day and were unlikely to be available again given their sales numbers unless many were returned. The $10 coin also became unavailable during the first week, and $50 and $5 coins were still available as of May 26. As of May 22, total sales were: 5,936 ($50); 1,994 ($25); 4,470 ($10); 13,749 ($5); and 9,957 (4-coin set).
Burnished Uncirculated Coin
The 2022-W Burnished Uncirculated American Gold Eagle (Buy on eBay) went on sale on June 16.
2022 Gold Eagle Specifications
- Mint Mark: none (bullion), “W” (proof, 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), Jennie Norris (reverse)
2022 Gold Eagle Mintage
- Bullion Mintage: 850,000 (1 oz), 75,000 (1/2 oz), 140,000 (1/4 oz), 575,000 (1/10th oz)
- Proof Mintage: 15,819 (1 oz), 11,876 (1/2 oz), 14,370 (1/4 oz), 23,712 (1/10th oz)
- Burnished Uncirculated Mintage: 8,848 (1 oz)
Based off sales numbers as of December 18, 2023
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