Homepage / Bullion Coins: U.S. Coins / 1/2 oz. American Eagle Gold

Last Updated on 07/07/2024

1/2 oz. American Eagle Gold
Bullion Coin

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1986 - Present

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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.

First minted in 1986, the American Eagle Gold bullion coin is made of 22 karat Gold that must be mined from sources inside the United States.

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Design of the
1/2 oz. American Eagle Gold
Bullion Coin

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Obverse - Type I  (1986 - 2021)

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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

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Reverse - Type I  (1986 - 2021)

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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
• 1/2 OZ.
• FINE GOLD~25 DOLLARS
• MB - initials of Miley Busiek, designer of reverse side
• JW - initials of Sherl "Joseph Winter," the original engraver of the gold coin.

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

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American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin
Type II 

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2021 - Present

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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.

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.

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Obverse - Type II  (2021 - Present)

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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 Photos Courtesy of The U.S. Mint

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Reverse - Type II   (2021 - Present)

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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
  
• 25 DOLLARS ★ 1/2 OZ. FINE GOLD 
  
• JN - Jennie Norris - designer initials
• RG - Renata Gordon - metallic artist / sculptor / engraver initials
  

The Edge of the coin is Reeded.

Coin Photos Courtesy of The U.S. Mint

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1/2 oz. American Eagle Gold
Bullion Coin Information

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

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

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

Face Value:...........................$25 US

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

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

Weight in Gold:......................1/2 troy oz. / 15.55 grams

Total Weight:.........................0.5455 troy oz / 16.966 grams

Diameter:..............................27.00mm / 1.063 inches

Thickness:.............................2.15mm / 0.085 inch

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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BGASC - Customer Reviews - 4.8 stars

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1/2 oz. American Eagle
Gold Bullion Coin
Mintage and Sales Figures

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Year            Year Dated Coin

                         Mintage                               Annual Sales

1986..............599,566..............................486,500

1987..............131,255..............................198,000

1988................45,000...............................48,000

1989................44,829...............................62,000

1990................31,000...............................33,000

1991................24,100...............................39,000

1992................54,404...............................50,800

1993................73,324...............................72,000

1994................62,400...............................64,000

1995................53,474...............................52,000

1996................39,287...............................42,000

1997................79,605...............................74,500

1998...............169,029.............................182,000

1999...............263,013.............................251,000

2000.................79,287..............................60,000

2001.................48,047..............................57,000

2002.................70,027..............................72,000

2003.................79,029..............................76,000

2004................ 98,040.............................105,000

2005.................80,023..............................96,000

2006.................66,005..............................42,000

2007.................47,002..............................50,000

2008.................61,000..............................50,000

2009................110,000............................110,000

2010.................81,000..............................46,000

2011.................70,000..............................65,000

2012.................43,000..............................71,000

2013.................57,000..............................58,000

2014.................35,000..............................46,000

2015.................78,000..............................75,000

2016.................71,000..............................74,000

2017.................*to be announced...............37,000

2018.................*to be announced...............32,000

2019.................*to be announced...............30,000

2020.................*to be announced...............70,000   

Type I

2021.................*to be announced...............31,000   

Type II

2021.................*to be announced...............65,000   

2022.................*to be announced...............75,000   

2023.................*to be announced...............102,000   

2024.................*to be announced...............33,000

Mintage Figures Last Updated on 07/07/2024

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

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