When it comes to investing in gold, American Eagle gold coins are among the most popular choices for collectors and investors alike. These coins are often seen as a reliable store of value, but many people wonder: Are American Eagle gold coins 100 percent gold? Keep reading as the experts from First National Bullion, the Carlsbad gold coin dealers you can rely on for high-quality service and unmatched reliability, dive into the details to uncover the truth about these coins’ composition and purity.
Understanding American Eagle Gold Coins
The American Eagle gold coin is a gold bullion coin first issued by the United States Mint in 1986. It’s part of a broader program that includes silver, platinum, and palladium coins. The Gold American Eagle is available in various denominations: 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1 ounce. Each coin features iconic American imagery, with the obverse showcasing Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s rendition of Lady Liberty and the reverse displaying a family of eagles designed by Miley Frost (formerly Miley Busiek).
Composition of American Eagle Gold Coins
While the face value of American Eagle gold coins suggests they’re made of pure gold, the actual composition tells a slightly different story. Each coin is composed of 91.67 percent gold (22 karats), 3 percent silver, and 5.33 percent copper. This specific alloy composition is designed to make the coins more durable and resistant to wear and tear. Thus, an American Eagle gold coin isn’t 100 percent gold but is still highly valuable and sought after.
Why American Eagle Gold Coins Aren’t 100 Percent Gold
There are practical reasons behind the decision to alloy gold with other metals in American Eagle gold coins. Pure gold, which is 24 karats (or 99.99 percent pure), is relatively soft and prone to scratching and damage. By mixing gold with small amounts of silver and copper, the resulting alloy is much harder and more durable, ensuring the coins maintain their appearance and structural integrity over time. This makes them more practical for handling, storage, and transportation.
Calculating the Gold Content
To understand the actual gold content in American Eagle gold coins, let’s break it down by denomination. A 1-ounce American Eagle gold coin contains 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of pure gold. Since the coin is 91.67 percent gold, it actually weighs slightly more than 1 troy ounce (approximately 1.0909 troy ounces, or 33.931 grams), with the additional weight coming from the silver and copper.
Here’s a quick reference for the gold content in each denomination:
- 1-ounce coin – Contains 1 troy ounce of pure gold
- 1/2-ounce coin – Contains 0.5 troy ounces of pure gold
- 1/4-ounce coin – Contains 0.25 troy ounces of pure gold
- 1/10-ounce coin – Contains 0.1 troy ounces of pure gold
Purity Standards & Assurance
The purity of American Eagle gold coins is guaranteed by the U.S. government, ensuring each coin meets strict standards for weight and gold content. This government-backed assurance is a significant reason investors and collectors around the world trust these coins. Additionally, the U.S. Mint meticulously checks and verifies each coin’s composition and weight, providing further confidence in their authenticity and value.
Comparisons to Other Gold Coins
When comparing American Eagle gold coins to other gold bullion options, it’s essential to consider factors such as purity, durability, and recognizability. For instance, Canadian Maple Leafs and Austrian Philharmonics are 99.99 percent pure gold (24 karats). While these coins are purer than American Eagles, they’re also softer and more prone to damage. American Eagles, with their 22-karat composition, offer a balance between purity and durability, making them a practical choice for everyday handling and storage.
Investment & Collectibility
American Eagle gold coins aren’t only valued for their gold content but also for their design and collectibility. The beautiful artistry and historical significance of these coins make them appealing to collectors. Their status as legal tender in the United States also adds a layer of security and assurance for investors. Whether purchased as a hedge against inflation, a long-term investment, or a collectible item, American Eagle gold coins offer a blend of durability, value, and artistry that few other gold coins can match.
Whether they’re looking to purchase silver bars or gold coins, Carlsbad collectors know they can trust the reliable professionals at First National Bullion. We can answer all your questions and help you find all the information you need to decide whether precious metals are the right investment for you. Give one of our experienced dealers a call today.
The statements made in this blog are opinions, and past performance is not indicative of future returns. Precious metals, like all investments, carry risk. Precious metals and coins may appreciate, depreciate, or stay the same in cash value depending on a variety of factors. First National Bullion does not guarantee, and its website and employees make no representation, that any metals for sale will appreciate sufficiently to earn the customers a profit. The decision to buy, sell, or borrow precious metals and which precious metals to purchase, borrow, or sell are made at the customer’s sole discretion.