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American Eagle Gold Coins – A Wise Investment

Gold Eagle coins are gold coins produced by the government of United States from 1795 to 1933. Till that time the US government used to back its currency with gold. This was called the gold standard. The eagle was a unit of denomination meant solely for gold coins. Quarter, half and double eagles were also produced. The eagle was the highest among the four units of denomination, the others being the dollar, dime and the cent. The cent was the lowest unit. A dime was equal to 10 cents, a dollar was 10 dimes and an eagle was 10 dollars. In 1984 the United States mint restarted producing gold eagles and distributed them as commemoratives. The Gold Bullion Act was passed in 1985 during the tenure of President Ronald Regan. The act enabled the US mint to mint gold bullion coins of face value 5, 10, 25 and 50 US dollars from newly mined domestic gold.

From 1907 till 1933, the double eagle bore the image of Liberty carrying a torch and holding an olive branch in either hand, on the obverse. The image was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This design is often considered as one of the most beautiful coin designs in the United States. This same design is used on the on the obverse of the modern gold eagles. The reverse features a nest of American Eagles. This is a symbol of family tradition and unity.

The United States government provides the Gold Eagle coins with a guarantee of their weight, content and purity. As a result investors and collectors can buy them with confidence. The US government is the only government that provides its gold coins with such a guarantee. This move has helped the circulation and sale of the Gold Eagles.

The modern US Gold Eagles are made of 22 carat gold (91.67% pure) which is much more scratch and marring resistant than the pure (99.9% or purer) forms of gold bullions. As a result the resale value of the coin is not diminished. 22 carats gold coins have 11 parts gold and 1 part alloy. Each 1-ounce gold Eagle contains 31.1 grams of pure gold, with an additional alloy of silver and copper. The total weight of the coin is about 33.9 grams. The 22 carat standard is the traditional English crown gold standard found in the British sovereigns. The standard was established for gold coinage over 350 years ago.  

The weight of quarter eagles was .2727 troy ounces, that of half eagles is .5455 troy ounces and of eagles is 1.0909 troy ounces. The eagle has a diameter and thickness of 32.7 mm, and 2.87 mm respectively. The half-ounce gold Eagle has a diameter of 27mm and thickness of 2.15mm. The quarter-ounce gold Eagle has a diameter of 22mm, and a thickness of 1.78 mm. The tenth-ounce gold Eagle has a diameter of 16.5 mm and a thickness of 1.26mm. The Eagle, the half Eagle the quarter Eagle and the 10th ounce Eagle have face values of $50, $25, $10 and $5.

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You can buy gold eagle coins through The Precious Metal Shop.

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