The American Gold Eagle is the official gold bullion coin of the US as a result of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985. The Gold Eagles come in four weights – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz, and are guaranteed by the US government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. The Act also stipulates that the gold in the coins must come from sources within the US. The 2005 1/2 oz Gold Eagle saw a modest decline in mintage numbers, going from 98,040 in 2004 to 80,023 in 2005. Only the 1/10 oz Gold Eagle experienced an increase in mintage in 2005. JM Bullion currently has the 2005 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a protective plastic flip!
- 20th year of the American Gold Eagle coin series!
- Contains 1/2 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Obverse features Lady Liberty.
- Reverse features a family of eagles.
- Possesses a face value of $25 (USD) fully backed by the US government.
The American Gold Eagle coins are made of a long-lasting composition of 22 karat gold. They are comprised of 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper. The 1 oz Gold Eagle coin is the largest in diameter of the 4 coins, with each subsequent lessor weight coin having a smaller diameter.
The obverse of the 2005 Gold Eagle coin features the Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ created full length figure of Lady Liberty. She is walking right off of the coin to you. Her hair is flowing in the breeze behind her. Her outstretched right hand is carrying a torch and her left hand is holding an olive branch. Near the bottom of the coin, to the left of her right foot, is a depiction of the Capitol building.
The reverse of the 2005 Gold Eagle coin features the design that was created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. It has a male eagle, clutching an olive branch, flying towards a nest occupied by a family of eagles. It is meant to symbolize the importance of family in America. It includes several inscriptions as well.
President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned new designs for US coins in 1904. He was able to retain the talented Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would return beauty to US coinage. Saint-Gaudens created the Lady Liberty designs that appeared on the Eagle ($10) and the Double Eagle ($20) gold coins through 1933. It is a version of this Lady Liberty that now appears on the American Gold Eagle coin.
Beginning in 2001, the price of gold began to climb. In 2005, the price of gold increased for the 5th consecutive year, even surpassing the $500 per ounce mark. After starting 2005 at $435.60 per ounce, it finished the year at $513.00 per ounce, an increase of over 17%.
Should you have 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.