The American Eagle Gold coin was issued as the official gold bullion coin of the US, as authorized by Congress. It was intended to be a method for investors to easily and affordably purchase precious metals investment coins. These bullion coins have a standard finish and, from the beginning, have been offered in 4 different sizes – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. The gold for these coins is required to be mined from deposits in the US. It is also stipulated that any profit from the sale of these coins be applied towards reducing the national debt. The mintage numbers of the 1986 American Eagle Gold coins was the largest total until 1998, in spite of sales of these coins not starting until October 1986. The 1/2 oz American Eagle Gold coins had the smallest mintage numbers of the 4 weights in 1986, at 599,566. Provident Metals presently has the 1986 American Eagle 1/2 oz Gold coin available for purchase.

Highlights:

• Received in a protective plastic flip!
• 1^st year of the American Eagle Gold coin series!
• Contains 1/2 Troy oz of actual gold weight.
• Bears a face value of $25 (USD) fully backed by the American government.
• Lady Liberty is on the obverse.
• A family of eagles is on the reverse.

In 1986, the price of gold started at $326.30 per ounce. After peaking at a high of $438.00 in early September, the price of gold finished the year at $396.13 per ounce. This was an increase of just over 19% from 1985. The September peak occurred just before the release of the new Gold Eagle coins in October.

Obverse

The American Eagle Gold coin obverse features the full-length figure design of Lady Liberty created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the early 1900’s. She appears to be walking right off the face of the coin. In her outstretched right hand is a torch and in her left hand is an olive branch. Her hair is flowing in the breeze. To the left of her right foot is a small depiction of the Capitol building. Inscriptions on the obverse are LIBERTY and MCMLXXXVI. The year was initially stated using Roman Numerals.

Reverse

The American Eagle Gold coin reverse features a male eagle, carrying an olive branch in its claws, flying towards its family awaiting in their nest. This design is said to illustrate the unity and family traditions of America, and is the creation of Miley Busiek, and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1/2 OZ. FINE GOLD, and 25 DOLLARS.

History

In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt called for a redesign of the nation’s coinage, as he felt they had fallen behind those of other countries. He invited the very skilled Irish-born Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would return beauty to our US coins. Saint-Gaudens created the Lady Liberty design that appeared on the Eagle ($10) and the Double Eagle ($20) gold coins that were minted from 1907 to 1933. It is a version of that Lady Liberty that is now on the American Eagle Gold coins.

Ordering

Have questions? Please contact our Provident Metals Customer Service team – we are ready to answer your questions. We can be reached via phone at 800-313-3315, online via our live chat, or via our email address.