{"id":2380,"date":"2018-10-17T16:32:13","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T15:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ukbullion.com\/blog\/?p=2380"},"modified":"2019-02-21T12:43:53","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T12:43:53","slug":"the-us-eagle-coins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ukbullion.com\/blog\/the-us-eagle-coins\/","title":{"rendered":"The US Eagle Coins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many investors prize the American Eagle gold bullion coin<\/span><\/a> and the American Eagle silver bullion coin<\/span><\/a> not only for their investment value but also for their unique and charming design. Discover more about these unique and valuable coins as we further investigate their history.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the US Eagle coins?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The American Gold Eagle coins<\/span><\/a> and the American Silver Eagle coins<\/span><\/a> are bullion coins released from the United States official mint. The most recent coins that have been struck by the US Mint<\/span><\/a> are authorised under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and the first issue of both gold and silver coins that were released after this bill was passed was in 1986. <\/span><\/p>\n

The new law clearly stated that only the US Mint<\/span><\/a> has the right to strike and produce these coins and that only gold that was mined domestically in the US can be used in the minting of these coins.<\/span><\/p>\n

The term \u2018eagle\u2019 was used in America up until 1933 to define all gold bullion coins with a $10 value. To avoid confusion, the modern range is referred to with the specific weight; for example, \u201c1\/2oz Eagle gold coin\u201d or \u201c1\/4oz Eagle gold coin\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are American Eagle coins legal tender? <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, all of the modern American Eagle gold coins are considered to be legal tender, but due to the high value of the gold bullion used to strike them, reaching into hundreds or thousands of dollars, these coins are purchased primarily for their investment value.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you were so inclined to spend them as legal tender, it\u2019s worth knowing that it was decided that the 1\/10oz coin would be $5, the 1\/4oz coin would be $10, the 1\/2oz coin would be $25 and the 1oz coin would be valued at $50.<\/span><\/p>\n

The modern US Eagle gold bullion coin design <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The current design hasn\u2019t changed much since the modern version of these coins was first struck by the US Mint in 1986. <\/span><\/p>\n

The design for this new collection of gold bullion coins was inspired by Saint Gaudens\u2019 older \u2018Eagle\u2019 coins which were minted in 1907. On the obverse side (the front) of the modern gold coin, an image of Lady Liberty is standing tall holding an olive branch in one hand and a torch in the other. The word \u2018LIBERTY\u2019 can be read above her head and near the bottom, on Lady Liberty\u2019s bottom right hand side, the year that the gold bullion coin was minted. <\/span><\/p>\n

On the reverse of the coin, representing America\u2019s national spirit and family unity, a male bald eagle carrying an olive branch firmly in its beak descends to nest with a female bald eagle and their hatchlings. <\/span><\/p>\n

The words \u2018E PLURIBUS UNUM\u2019 and \u2018IN GOD WE TRUST\u2019 are also on this side of the coin. At the top are the words \u2018UNITED STATES OF AMERICA\u2019 and the purity of the gold used in the coin which is inscribed at the bottom. <\/span><\/p>\n

The modern US Eagle silver bullion coin design <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The modern design of the US Eagle silver bullion coin depicts the \u2018Walking Liberty\u2019 on its obverse which has used the original 1916 design from famous US sculptor Adolph A. Weinman. <\/span><\/p>\n

The reverse of the American Eagle silver bullion coin was designed by John Mercanti in 1986 and it features a heraldic eagle behind a shield. The eagle is holding an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left talon and there are 13 stars which have five points each to represent the 13 American colonies. <\/span><\/p>\n

What size is the American Eagle gold coin? <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The American eagle gold coin size varies; currently there are four different sizes of the American Eagle gold coin. <\/span><\/p>\n