Gold American Eagle Bullion Coin Sales Figures: 1986-2010
The United States Mint launched American Eagle Gold Bullion coins in 1986 with a yearly production authorized by law (Public Law 99-61). In fact, the Mint is mandated to strike the bullion eagles every year “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand.”
The dynamic chart shows US Mint sales figures for all the 22 karat denominations — 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz — from 1986 to the latest weekly released 2010 figures.
*1986-2009 figures are "Year-Dated" coins sold, as provided by the US Mint. Since 2010 is not finalized and it will not be until January 2011, the 2010 data includes total eagles sold during a month as provided in US Mint unaudited weekly sales reports (April 30, 2010, is the "as of date" for the 2010 sales figures).
| Sales Figure Chart Options | ||
| Scroll the chart with the slider. |
Adjust visible area using slider's handles. |
Mouse over the graph to see the guide. |
| Scroll by dragging the graph. | Press the All, 1, and 2 buttons. | Click on the blue Full Screen icon. |
2010 Gold Eagle Coin Sales by Month
| 1 oz | 1/2 oz | 1/4 oz | 1/10 oz | |
| January | 85,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| February | 84,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| March | 102,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| April | 60,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 331,500 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
American Gold Eagle Coin Information
Although the gold bullion eagles have the same design as their collector proof and uncirculated counterparts, by law the U.S. Mint strikes them for investments purposes and, as such, modern pieces are valued strongly for their bullion content. They can often be purchased for a small amount over the price of the current day's gold spot price.
The bullion American Gold Eagles do not have the West Point "W" mint mark, do not have limited mintages -- worldwide demand dictates production levels, and they lack other tangible assets inherent in the collector proof and uncirculated pieces. Nevertheless, they are sought for both investment and numismatic purposes. Collectors acquire them for the same reasons they collect circulating coins that were struck for daily commerce.
The US Mint also does not sell bullion coins directly to the public as it does with its collector products, like the proof and uncirculated American Eagles. The coins are instead distributed through a network of authorized dealers who then resell them to anyone interested.
Recent Gold Eagle History
Demand was exceptionally strong for gold eagles in 2009. So much so that through the year there were several suspensions and the Mint allocated supplies. Also interestingly, the US Mint focused only on producing the 1 oz size for most of the year. That changed on Oct, 6, 2009, when the Mint announced it would strike "fractional 2009 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins in the one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce weights" on December 3. At the same time, it said it would not produce any collector proof or uncirculated 2009 Gold Eagles. For more on this story, read 2009 Gold & Silver Eagles Canceled.
As a final telling point on demand, the Mint for the first time ever continued their production very late into 2009 and extended their sales into 2010. (It sold a total 51,000 of the 2009-dated one ounce eagles in early 2010.) Normally it stops current year production around November to begin striking new year coins, relying on existing inventory to hold them through until those new coins are released.
Demand has slowed (so far) in 2010 for the gold pieces as compared to last year. From January 2010 to April 2010, the Mint has sold a total of 331,500, as the above table indicates. By comparison Mint authorized dealers purchased 489,500 during the same months as last year.
American Gold Eagle Coin Design
The obverse (heads side) design for American Gold Eagle coins is a duplicate of that first seen on the 1907 $20 Double Eagle by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It portrays the mythical figure Liberty walking towards the future along with the inscription LIBERTY and the year.
The reverse (tails side) design, by Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek, depicts "Family of Eagles" motif, symbolizing family tradition and unity. Inscriptions for the one-ounce size include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, 50 DOLLARS and 1 OZ. FINE GOLD. The other fractions size bears the same inscriptions, but with varying dollar and fine gold amounts.
Eagle Coin Specifications
The following are the specification for the bullion American Gold Eagle Coins:
Mint: United States Mint
Mint Mark: None
Finish/Condition: Circulated
Metal Content: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper
Gross Weight: 33.93 g, 16.965 g, 8.483 g, 3.393 g
Fine Weight: 1 oz, 1/2. oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz
Diameter: 32.7 mm, 27 mm, 22 mm, 16.5 mm
Thickness: 2.87 mm, 2.15 mm, 1.78 mm, 1.26 mm
Edge: Reeded
Mintage Limit: Based on demand
Face Value: $50, $25, $10 and $5
Obverse Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Reverse Designer: Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek
For more information on the coins, also check out the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/?action=american_eagles.
