American Eagle Gold Coins
In Retirement & Self-Directed Gold IRA
The American Eagle Gold Coin, introduced by the U.S. Mint in 1986, is the official gold bullion coin of the United States and a top choice for investors and retirement diversification. Its appeal lies in its iconic patriotic design, government-backed purity, historical significance, and status as legal tender as the officla gold coin in the USA. The coin was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in the Gold Bullion Act of 1985.
Obverse Design: The front of the coin features Lady Liberty, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907, holding a torch and olive branch to symbolize enlightenment and peace. This design, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history, has been used on American Eagles since their inception in 1986.
Reverse Design: The reverse displays a bold side profile of a bald eagle, designed by Jennie Norris and introduced in 2021, replacing the previous family of eagles design with a nest and female eagle and hatchlings. This modern depiction represents the strength and freedom of the United States.
The 1 oz American Eagle Gold Coin has a face value of $50, but its market value is tied to the price of gold, far exceeding the face value. Composed of 91.67% gold content (22-karat), 3% silver, and 5.33% copper, this metal composition is also called "crown gold." The 1 oz gold version is typically used for investment purposes.
A 1 oz coin measures 32.70 mm in diameter, 2.87 mm in thickness, and weighs 1.0909 troy ounces (33.931 grams). This coin series has a reeded edge. Coins are minted at the U.S. Mint’s West Point facility (Proof & uncirculated versions are also produced here as part of their Coin Programs). A unique trait of this gold coin, despite its 22-karat gold composition, it remains eligible for inclusion in Gold Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Unlike another American gold coin, the American Buffalo which is 99.99% pure, Gold Eagles at 91.67% are eligble despite not meeting the 99.5% purity requirement in Gold IRAs. The American Gold Eagle Proof Coins are also uniquely eligible in a Gold IRA, unlike any other proof coin. Proof versions typically have a standard mint mark.
1 oz American Gold Eagle
Observe(Front)
Reverse(Back)
| IRA-Eligible | Yes, is eligible |
| Value | 50 U.S. Dollars |
| Metal Content | 91.67% Gold, 3% Silver, 5.33% Copper |
| Purity | 22-karat (91.67%) |
| Years of Minting | 1986–present (Bullion) |
| Mint | U.S. Mint (West Point) |
| Design | Lady Liberty design; family of eagles reverse |
The American Eagle Gold Coin is also available in three fractional sizes: 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz, each with corresponding face values of $25, $10, and $5, respectively. However, these smaller denominations are better suited for non-IRA investors. 1 oz variations are the most cost-effectice solution when including gold coins in an IRA.
Why Does the IRS Allow American Gold Bullion Eagles in an IRA?
The IRS allows American Gold Bullion Eagles in IRAs despite their lower purity (0.9167) because they are minted by the U.S. Mint, and meet the IRS's "publicly traded" criteria (based on recognition, quality, and tradeability).
How to Invest Gold American Eagles in your IRA
If you are ready to include American Eagle Gold Coins in a Gold IRA, best place to start is selecting a reputable IRS-approved Gold IRA company to help with account setup and choosing the gold coins you want to invest in. Open your account and fund it by rolling over or transferring assets through a 60-day Gold IRA rollover or a direct Gold IRA transfer. Once funded you will be able to buy American Eagle Gold Coins and enjoy the long-term benefits of holding physical precious metals in your IRA.
Bullion Mintages
Below we have graphed the mintages of the bullion variation of the American Gold Eagle from 1986 to 2023. This makes it easy to see the product releases since this coin was first produced.
1 oz Mintage Data (1986-2023)
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1,362,650 |
| 1987 | 1,045,500 |
| 1988 | 465,500 |
| 1989 | 415,790 |
| 1990 | 373,210 |
| 1991 | 243,100 |
| 1992 | 275,000 |
| 1993 | 480,192 |
| 1994 | 221,663 |
| 1995 | 200,636 |
| 1996 | 189,148 |
| 1997 | 664,508 |
| 1998 | 1,468,530 |
| 1999 | 1,505,026 |
| 2000 | 433,319 |
| 2001 | 143,605 |
| 2002 | 222,029 |
| 2003 | 416,032 |
| 2004 | 417,019 |
| 2005 | 356,555 |
| 2006 | 237,510 |
| 2007 | 140,016 |
| 2008 | 710,000 |
| 2009 | 1,493,000 |
| 2010 | 1,125,000 |
| 2011 | 857,000 |
| 2012 | 675,000 |
| 2013 | 758,500 |
| 2014 | 425,000 |
| 2015 | 626,500 |
| 2016 | 817,500 |
| 2017 | 228,000 |
| 2018 | 191,000 |
| 2019 | 108,000 |
| 2020 | 747,500 |
| 2021 Type-1 | 456,500 |
| 2021 Type-2 | 665,500 |
| 2022 | 850,000 |
| 2023 | 924,000 |
Other IRA-Eligible Gold Coins
Other popular bullion coins typically chosen in a Gold IRA are listed below:
- Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coin
- American Gold Buffalo Coin
- Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin
- Australian Gold Kangaroo/Nugget Coin
- British Gold Britannia Coin
- Mexican Gold Libertad Coin
- British Gold Queen's Beast Coin
- Australian Gold Lunar Series Coin
These popular gold bullion coins provide a vast variety of coins to include in your Gold IRA portfolio.
How Focus on the User Can Help You Hold Gold Eagles in Your IRA
Holding gold coins directly in your IRA is one of the best ways to benefit from gold and enjoy the tax benfits of this type of retirement account. Focus on the User makes the planning process Gold IRAs easy, including adding Gold American Eagles in your investment strategy.
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