Homepage / Bullion Coins: U.S. Coins / 1 oz. American Eagle Gold

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Last Updated on 07/08/2024

1oz. American Eagle
Gold Bullion Coin

1986 - Present

On July 9th, 1985, the United States Congress passed the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985.

The law authorized the U.S. Mint to start producing Gold American Eagle bullion coins for investors and proof and uncirculated versions for collectors.

Design of the
1oz. American Eagle Gold 
Bullion Coin

Obverse - Type I  (1986 - 2021)

Inspired by the work of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin (1907–1933) served as the model for the obverse design of the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin.

The obverse design of the American Eagle Gold bullion coin depicts Lady Liberty with a torch (enlightenment) in her right hand, an olive branch (peace) in her left, and rays of light (God) at her back.

Liberty's hair and gown are flowing in the wind as she stands confidently on land with oak leaves (wisdom / strength) and the United States Capitol.

Inscriptions:

• LIBERTY
• Year of Issue
• 50 stars encircling Lady Liberty (the stars represent the 50 states of The United States of America)
  
• Augustus Saint-Gaudens initials (One letter over the other)

The Edge of the coin is reeded.

Note: From 1986 - 1991, American Eagle Gold coin had the "Year of Issue" in Roman Numerals. Since 1992, the year of issue has been numerical.

Coin Photo courtesy of the U.S. Mint

Reverse - Type I  (1986 - 2021)

Symbolizing American tradition and unity, the reverse side of the American Eagle Gold bullion coin depicts a family of bald eagles designed by Miley Busiek (now Miley Frost).

Miley's design depicts the father eagle returning to his family's nest with an olive branch (peace) in his talons. The mother bald eagle protects her eaglets sitting in the nest, which is comprised of olive branches (symbolizing peace through the strength of the family).

Inscriptions:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM - is Latin for "Out of Many, One"
• IN GOD WE TRUST

• 1 OZ.
• FINE GOLD~50 DOLLARS
• MB - initials of Miley Busiek, designer of reverse side
  
• JW - initials of Sherl "Joseph Winter," the original engraver of the reverse side

Note: All American Eagle Gold bullion coins have no mint mark. Only the Collector's Proof and Collector's Un-Circulated Versions of the American Gold Eagle coin have a mint mark on the reverse side.

Coin photo courtesy of the U.S. Mint

American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin
Type II 

2021 - Present

Coinciding with the American Eagle Bullion Coins 35th Anniversary, the United States Mint announced that the American Eagle Gold and Silver bullion coins will undergo design improvements on their obverse sides and complete changes on their reverse sides. 

The U.S. Mint received 39 images, seen here, for final approval of the American Eagle Gold bullion coin's reverse design, the design below was the one chosen.

Redesign Features

The image below from the U.S. Mint displays all the new features of the American Eagle Gold - type II (click image to enlarge). 

In addition to the new reverse design, they've enhanced many aspects of the coin and removed a reed from its edge to deter counterfeiters.  Note: Only the 1oz. American Eagle gold bullion coins have the missing reed.

The United States Mint introduced new designs for the reverse sides of the American Eagles Gold and Silver bullion coins in 2021.

American Gold Eagle Type II - Re-Design Key Features
(Click to Enlarge)

Note: the Bullion Version of the American Gold Eagle does not have a "Mint Mark" on its reverse side, unlike the Proof and Uncirculated Versions of the coin.

Obverse - Type II - (2021 - Present)

Inspired by the work of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin (1907–1933) served as the model for the obverse design of the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin.

The obverse design of the American Eagle Gold bullion coin depicts Lady Liberty with a torch (enlightenment) in her right hand, an olive branch (peace) in her left, and rays of light (God) at her back.

Liberty's hair and gown are flowing in the wind as she stands confidently on land with oak leaves (wisdom / strength) and the United States Capitol.

Inscriptions:

• LIBERTY
• Year of Issue
• 46 stars encircling Lady Liberty (The stars represent the 46 states that were part of the United States of America in 1907)
  
• Augustus Saint-Gaudens initials (One letter over the other)

Note: To stay true to the original design of the 1907 Double Eagle, which had only 46 stars encircling Liberty representing the 46 states that made up the United States at that time.  The U.S. Mint decided to put only 46 stars on the obverse side of the Type II American Eagle Gold bullion coins.

Coin Photo Courtesy of U.S. Mint

Reverse - Type II - (2021 - Present)

The reverse side reveals a detailed profile of the majestic American bald eagle in the design of the type II American Eagle Gold bullion coin.

Inscriptions:

• ★★★ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ★★★ 
• E PLURIBUS UNUM  - Latin for "Out of Many, One"
• IN GOD WE TRUST
  
• 50 DOLLARS ★ 1 OZ. FINE GOLD 
  
• JN - Jennie Norris - designer initials
  
• RG - Renata Gordon - metallic artist / sculptor / engraver initials
  

Coin photo courtesy of the U.S. Mint

Missing Reed
Edge - Type II  (2021 - Present)

The edge of the American Eagle Gold bullion coins are reeded.  The missing reed is a anti-counterfeiting design feature that is exclusive to the 1oz. American Eagle Gold bullion coins.

The fractional sized (1/2oz., 1/4oz., and 1/10oz.) American Eagle Gold bullion coins do not have the missing reed.

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1 oz. American Eagle Gold 
Bullion Coin Information

Introduction:.........................1986

IRA Approved:.......................Yes

Grade:..................................Uncirculated

Face Value:...........................$50 US

Karat:...................................22 Karat

Composition:.........................91.67% Gold, 3.0% Silver, 5.33% Copper

Weight in Gold:......................1 troy oz. / 31.10 grams

Total Weight:.........................1.0909 troy oz. / 33.931 grams

Diameter:.............................1.287 inches / 32.70mm

Thickness:.............................0.113 inch / 2.87mm

Obverse Designer (Type I):.....Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1986-2021)

Reverse Designer (Type I):.....Miley Busiek (now Miley Frost) (1986-2021)

Reverse Engraver (Type I):.....Sherl "Joseph Winter" (1986-2021)

Obverse Designer (Type II):....Augustus Saint-Gaudens (2021 - Present)

Reverse Designer (Type II):....Jennie Norris (2021-Present)

Reverse Engraver (Type II):....Renata Gordon (2021-Present)

Mint Mark:.............................No

Minted..................................West Point

Edge:...................................Reeded

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American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins

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1 oz. American Eagle Gold
Bullion Coins 
Mintage and Sales Figures

Year             Year Dated Coin

                            Mintage                             Annual Sales

1986..............1,362,650..........................1,312,500

1987..............1,045,500..........................1,028,500

1988.................465,500............................494,000

1989.................415,790............................426,000

1990.................373,210............................405,000

1991.................243,100............................204,000

1992.................275,000............................326,000

1993.................480,192............................439,000

1994.................221,663............................243,500

1995.................200,636............................226,000

1996.................189,148............................194,500

1997.................664,508............................661,500

1998..............1,468,530..........................1,518,500

1999..............1,505,026..........................1,511,000

2000.................433,319..............................94,000

2001.................143,605.............................245,000

2002.................222,029.............................239,500

2003.................416,032.............................405,500

2004.................417,019.............................437,000

2005.................356,555.............................351,500

2006.................237,510.............................201,500

2007.................140,016.............................147,500

2008.................710,000.............................794,000

2009..............1,493,000...........................1,315,500

2010..............1,125,000...........................1,143,000

2011.................857,000.............................910,000

2012.................675,000.............................667,000

2013.................758,500.............................743,500

2014.................425,000.............................415,500

2015.................594,000.............................626,500

2016.................817,500.............................817,500

2017................*to be announced.................228,500

2018................*to be announced.................191,000 

2019................*to be announced.................108,000

2020................*to be announced.................747,500   

Type I

2021................*to be announced.................456,500

Type II

2021................*to be announced.................665,500

2022................*to be announced.................850,000

2023................*to be announced.................924,000

2024................*to be announced.................187,000

 Mintage Figures Last Updated on 7/08/2024

*Official "Year Dated" Mintage Figures have not been released

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