What is a $50 Gold Eagle?

What is a $50 Gold Eagle? United States gold coins minted from 1795 to 1933 were Quarter Eagles, Half Eagles, Eagles, and Double Eagles. These were, respectively $2.50, $5, $10, and $20 gold pieces. Where does the $50 Gold Eagle fit in?

In an older era when the dollar was strong, individuals could carry gold coins to settle their debts. Paper currency could be redeemed in silver or gold. Those options no longer exist. Now, in an era of continuing devaluation of the US dollar, the United States Mint created a gold bullion coin for investors, the $50 Gold Eagle. The coin is more commonly known as the American Eagle.

In 1986, the mint began producing the American Eagle gold bullion coin with Liberty, as depicted by the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, on its face. This design first appeared on the Double Eagle in 1907 and continued until the United States confiscated gold in 1933.

The value of the American Eagle “$50” gold bullion coin is the value of one ounce of gold bullion. Nevertheless on the back of the American Eagle at the bottom is inscribed “One Oz Pure Gold 50 dollars.” The American Eagle series also contains a half ounce coin inscribed 25 dollars, a fourth ounce coin with the inscription ten dollars, and a tenth ounce coin inscribed one dollar.

The $50 Gold Eagle is more appropriately a $1,100 plus Gold Eagle. Gold bullion has quadrupled in value in the last decade and, as the nation wrestles with its economic difficulties, may well continue to climb as the dollar declines. Investors are converting their assets into gold bullion, and $50 Gold Eagles are the coin of choice for many. 

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Joshua Harris

Senior Staff Writer - Gold-Eagle.org