Under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, the American Gold Eagle became an official gold bullion coin of the US. Issued in 4 different weights, the Gold Eagles are guaranteed by the US government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces, and this gold must be mined within the US. The mintage numbers of the 1986 Gold Eagles are the largest total until 1998, in spite of sales of these coins not starting until October 1986. The 1/2 oz Gold Eagles had the smallest mintage numbers of the 4 weights in 1986, at 599,566. JM Bullion currently has the 1986 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a protective plastic flip!
- 1st year of the American Gold Eagle coin series!
- Contains 1/2 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Has a face value of $25 (USD) fully backed by the US government.
- A family of eagles is featured on the reverse.
- Lady Liberty is featured on the obverse.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt called for a redesign of the nation’s coinage, which he felt had become artistically dull. He retained the services of Irish-born Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would rival the ancient Greek and Roman coins. Saint-Gaudens accepted the invitation and created the Lady Liberty designs that appeared on the Eagle ($10) and the Double Eagle ($20) gold coins. It is a version of this Lady Liberty that was repurposed to appear on the American Gold Eagle coins.
The reverse of the 1986 American Gold Eagle coin is a male eagle flying back to the family nest, carrying an olive branch. A female eagle awaits in the nest, guarding a couple of eaglets. This is intended to symbolize the importance of family in America. This design was created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. It includes several inscriptions as well.
On the obverse of the 1986 American Gold Eagle coin is the full-length figure of Lady Liberty that was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. As you look at the coin, Lady Liberty is walking directly at you. Her hair is flowing behind her. In her outstretched right hand is a torch and she is holding an olive branch in her left hand. At the bottom of the coin, to the left of her right foot, is a depiction of the Capitol building.
In 1986, the price of gold started the year at $326.30 per ounce. After spiking at $438.00 in September – just before the release of the new Gold Eagle coins – it finished the year at $396.13 per ounce. This was an increase of just over 19% from 1985.
If you have any questions about the Gold Eagle coins, please contact our JM Bullion Customer Service team, as we will be happy to help. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via our live chat, or via our email.