American Eagle Coins

Currently minted American Gold Eagle coins are known and trusted sources of gold bullion for investment and hedges against inflation. Older American Double Eagle coins are sources of gold bullion that carry a higher value based upon their rarity. When the United States congress authorized the minting of gold coins in 1792 it specified that the $10 gold piece would be called an eagle, the $5 gold piece a half eagle, and the $2.50 gold piece a quarter eagle. When congress authorized the minting of a $20 gold piece in 1849 it was referred to as a double eagle.

Thus American Eagle coins go back to the start of the country. Specifically, American Eagle coins are ten dollar gold pieces containing just under half an ounce of gold. American eagle coins have been produced in a variety of styles. “Indian Head” American Eagle coins were produced from 1907 to 1933 when minting of gold coins stopped and privately held gold was confiscated.

American Eagle coins minted from 1838 to 1907 are referred to as the “Liberty Head” design. Many American eagle coins minted from 1795 to 1833 were melted down for their gold content by their owners or sold for more than their face value when the price of gold went up in the 1820’s and 1830’s. The American Eagle coins minted from 1838 on have a lower gold content in order to keep the gold content of the coins less than the face value.

Like American double eagle coins of the same era, American eagle coins have a value well above that of their gold content, depending upon their state of preservation and rarity. Investors find these coins to be an interesting part of US history and valuable assets to acquire.

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Joshua Harris

Senior Staff Writer - Gold-Eagle.org