When the American Gold Eagle was introduced in 1986, the 1/2 oz variant was the most popular choice among investors and collectors behind only the 1 oz coin. Today however, the 1/2 oz coin has fallen to the back of the pack as the 1 oz and 1/10 oz coins fight for the adoration of numismatists. Right now, you have a limited opportunity to purchase a 1996-W 1/2 oz Proof American Gold Eagle in perfect condition from JM Bullion.

Coin Highlights:

• 11th annual release of the American Gold Eagle coin.
• Ships to you in a protective plastic slab courtesy of the PCGS.
• Contains a true gold content of 1/2 oz 22-karat gold.
• Issued a face value of $25 (USD) by the United States government.
• Bears a PR70 grade from the Professional Coin Grading Service.
• Deep-cameo finish.
• Features the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint.

American Gold Eagle coins have gone through the same ebbs and flows of its silver counterpart, experiencing periods of increased demand and slumping mintages. Throughout much of the 1990s, the American Gold Eagle saw mintage levels drop. In fact, 1996 was one of the last production years of the 20th century with total mintage across all four weights in excess of 100,000.

These 1996-W 1/2 oz Proof American Gold Eagle coins earned PR70 grades from the PCGS, which indicates coins with full, original mint luster and no detracting flaws of any kind on the surfaces of the coin.

Deep-cameo coins exhibit a stark contrast between the design sets and the background field of the coin. The design set of Lady Liberty boasts a strong, frosted matte finish, while the background field is deeply-mirrored and clear.

On the obverse of the coin is the image of Lady Liberty from Augustus Saint-Gaudens. His design is widely considered the greatest American coin design of all time, and was created in 1907 by Saint-Gaudens. In a tragic twist of fate, he wasn’t alive to see his design on the $20 Gold Double Eagle as he passed away from illness.

The reverse features the image of a family of nesting bald eagles, with the male returning to the nest where a female stands vigilant guard over the hatchlings. Miley Busiek created this design exclusively for the American Gold Eagle in 1986.

If you have any questions, please reach out to JM Bullion. You can contact us on the phone at 800-276-6508, online using our live web chat, or via our email address. Be sure to check out our similar proof coins like the 1995-P 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle PCGS Pr70 DCAM and the 1992-P 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle PCGS PR70 DCAM.