2023 Gold American Eagle Coin - 1 Troy Ounce, 22k Purity

History of the 1 Oz American Gold Eagle

American gold coins were originally authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792 and served as coins of the realm until 1933. They were removed from circulation by Franklin Roosevelt’s controversial executive order which lasted until 1972 (Executive Order 6102).

President Nixon rescinded Roosevelt’s executive order which banned private ownership of gold bullion at the same time as he slammed shut the “gold window." His action removed the last vestige of gold backing from the US dollars – dollars could no longer be redeemed by any party for gold. But at least Americans could once again build personal reserves.

Before 1933, US gold coins for sale circulated with denominations of $20, $10, $5, and $2.50. The modern American Eagle 1oz gold coin carries a denomination of $50 – a tiny fraction of its actual value based on metal content. Officials do not want sound money, specie, gold coins to re-enter circulation or to be spent in competition with fiat (paper) dollars. Rather the coins are traded by dealers and investors, priced at just above the current melt-value of 1 troy ounce of gold.

The one-ounce American Gold Eagle coins were first produced in 1986 after the passage of the Gold Bullion Act of 1985 passed (Public Law 99-185). The act authorized the US Mint to produce American Eagle gold coins, but only from gold mined inside the US.

Today, investors can get American Eagle coins in silver, gold, platinum, or palladium.

American Gold Eagle 1 ounce gold coins have gold weight and purity that is guaranteed by the federal government.

From 1986 through 1991, the US Mint used Roman Numerals to date the coins. From 1992 on, the coins featured traditional Arabic numerals.

Another significant change to the American Eagle gold bullion coins was made in late 2021 with the introduction of a new reverse (tails) design from the original family of eagles by Miley Busiek to the head of eagle design by Jennie Norris.

Design and Appearance of the 2023 American Gold Eagle

The obverse side of the classic Augustus Saint-Gaudens designed 2023 American Eagle gold bullion coin has remained the same since the coin began mintage in 1986. This Saint-Gaudens artist design was originally on the $20 gold coins from 1907 to 1933.

Front and center is Lady Liberty facing the viewer head-on as she walks on a rock, boulder, or mountain crag with her left foot. Some speculate the rock may symbolize Plymouth Rock or liberty being established on a firm foundation. In front of the rock is an oak tree branch.

Lady Liberty’s long gown compliments her figure from the waist down and is loose behind her. The arms are bare but strong, and she holds a torch in her right hand extended straight toward the viewer and an olive branch in her left hand extended outward to her left side. Her hair flows to the left of the coin, on her right side. The word “LIBERTY” is above her head.

Behind her right side in the distance is Washington D.C. and the Capitol Hill building. From behind D.C., there are a total of 27 visible sunrays, with 14 on her right and 13 on her left. Along the fin and edge of the coin, on the obverse side, are 46 five-pointed stars that symbolize the number of states that were in the United States of America in 1907 when this design was first made. The year of the coin is on her left side, which is on the right side of the obverse.

Along the reeded edge, there are 161 reeds with an added security feature of a notch within those reeds. In 2023, the reed notch is located at the 3 o’clock mark. This security feature was added in 2021, and each year the notch is relocated within the reeds.

The reverse side of the 2023 American Eagle gold bullion coin depicts the close-up side profile image of an American bald eagle peering to the left side of the coin. The eagle is highly detailed with textures, contrast, and depth. The artist who designed this 2021 and newer design is Jennie Norris, whose initials JN are located below the eagle’s neck to the left of the image. The US Mint sculptor who helped create this coin image was medallic artist Reneta Gordon whose initials RG are found on the right side of the eagle just above its neck.

Along the top of the reverse side are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and under that while above the head of the eagle are the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Below that is the stacked motto “In God We Trust.” Before ‘United’ and after ‘America’ are three five-pointed stars on either side. To the bottom left of the reverse side is the wording “50 DOLLARS.” After that there is another single five-point star, and then the words “1 OZ. FINE GOLD” which is on the bottom right of the reverse side image followed by the three stars and the word America.

1 Oz Gold Eagle Composition

American Eagle gold coins are produced in a 22-karat alloy, called "crown gold," which was originally formulated in 1526 by King Henry VIII. The coins contain 91.67 percent gold with the remaining balance in copper and silver. Each coin is marked by weight, which is the actual amount of gold weight in troy ounces. Coins marked 1-oz contain a full troy ounce of gold content with some additional weight attributable to the silver and copper alloy metals. That means the gross weight of these coins is slightly greater than 1 troy ounce.

You can also check out the American Eagle as a 1 oz pure silver coin if you would prefer the design but at a lower cost. US Mint Silver Eagles are also offered in smaller sizes if you are interested in fractional coins. So, no matter what you're looking to invest in, we can help you find it.

Product Details for 1 oz. American Gold Eagle Coin:

• Mint Facility: United States Mint - Philadelphia Mint, West Point Mint

• Denomination: 50 dollars US ($50 USD)

• Date: 1986 through the present

• Type and Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)

• Purity: 91.67% gold, 5.33% copper, and 3% silver

• Gold Weight: 1 Troy ounce (31.1045477 grams)

• Coin Weight: 33.931 grams

• Diameter: 1.287402 inches or 32.7 millimeters

• Edge: Reeded with 161 reeds

• Security Feature: Notch in Reed Count (2021-Present)

• Design – Obverse (front/heads): Standing Liberty

• Design – Reverse (rear/tails): Bald Eagle Profile

The packaging of the American Eagle 1 oz gold coin will vary depending on the number of coins purchased.

Quantities of 9 or fewer are shipped well-protected in plastic coin flips. Ten or more coins will be placed in original mint tubes which can contain up to 20 coins; whereas, 500 gold coins are shipped in the original red monster boxes.

1 Oz American Eagle Gold Coin Value

The $50 face value of the 2023 1-ounce coin is marked on the reverse side, but that should not be confused with the coin’s value or price. The actual value of the coin is based upon its gold content and will fluctuate with the market price of gold in the commodities markets.

Though the one-ounce American Gold Eagle has a face value and is legal tender, their purpose is different. 1 ounce gold coins are not intended to be spent with a merchant, at least not unless the merchant is willing to recognize the coin’s actual value. Instead, they are an investment and a hedge against the perpetual devaluation of the US dollar.

American Eagle gold coins are very popular and the US Mint’s guarantee of weight adds some value. For this reason, these coins often carry a slight premium – perhaps 1 - 2% - versus comparable gold coins from elsewhere in the world.

How We Determine the Market Price of the 1 oz. American Gold Eagle Coin

The market value of the one-ounce coin is directly related to its value on the commodity exchanges, such as the COMEX. Like shares in a publicly traded company, gold futures contracts are bought and sold continuously during the trading day. The price, sometimes referred to as the “spot price,” will fluctuate from moment to moment.

The 2023 American Eagle gold bullion coin is primarily purchased for its melt value in gold, because buying pure gold acts as a store of value and helps to preserve wealth. Most investors and collectors do not purchase these gold bullion coins for any numismatic coin-collecting value, but instead for the amount and fineness of the gold precious metal.

Money Metals Exchange reports and displays the live pricing for gold at the top of our website 24/7.

Finding the total price of a 1 ounce American Gold Eagle coin requires taking the “spot price” and adding a “premium” to it. Premiums vary, depending on the item and quantity. They are determined by the production cost of the coin and by the profit margin included by the dealer, but mostly by supply and demand. Like most products in any market, buying in quantity generally means lower cost.

For people who want to buy gold coins regularly, lower premiums are available for those who join our monthly membership plan or those who buy in bulk to lower overall costs.

1 Oz Golden Eagle Coins for Retirement

More and more investors are holding US mint gold coins, like the American Eagles inside of retirement accounts, in addition to more traditional stocks and bonds. 1 oz gold Eagles can be held inside “self-directed” precious metals Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). They are the exception to the IRS rule requiring that physical precious metals such as gold be at least .995 pure to be eligible for inclusion.

Investors should beware of precious metals dealers who market “proof” or collectible versions of American Eagles for IRAs. IRS rules prevent most numismatic coins in retirement accounts, but a loophole allows rare coin dealers to offer “proof” Eagles. These are typically very overpriced and will not perform nearly as well as regular bullion coins.

Sell 1 Oz Gold American Eagle Coins

The 2023 Gold American Eagles are highly sought-after investment-grade bullion coins. Many companies and individuals will offer to buy these coins from people all over the world. When selling your 2023 gold bullion coins, to get an idea of a fair asking price, it is a good idea to know the current gold spot price as well as the average premium (standard company overhead costs). It’s also important to sell to a reputable dealer, so you know you will get paid quickly for your items once they are received, and that the amount will be a fair price.

Money Metals Exchange provides full transparency when it comes to spot prices and premiums since the live spot prices of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, etc. are always listed on the website. Every product page has the listed premiums and typically shows what types of premium discounts can be acquired for bulk purchases.

To sell your 2023 gold American Eagle coins to Money Metals Exchange you can either go to the coin’s page on the website and select the blue box that says “click here to sell to us” or by giving our customer care agents a call at our phone number: 1-800-800-1865

We are buying this item back daily, and we pay you promptly!

Our current buy pricing is $2,330.85 each and we will buy up to 50 at this price. Simply call us on any weekday to lock pricing at 1-800-800-1865.

Learn more about the process for selling to us here.