Created by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which authorized the Gold Eagles, the American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the US. The Act stipulates that the gold in these coins must come from sources within the US, and is guaranteed by the government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. The Gold Eagles are available in bullion, proof, and burnished coin. The bullion Gold Eagles, from the beginning, have been available in 4 weights – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. In 2005, the 1/4 oz mintage basically remained the same from 2004. JM Bullion has the 2005 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle Coin available for purchase right now.
Coin Highlights:
- Arrives in a protective plastic flip!
- 20th year of the American Gold Eagle coin series!
- Contains 1/4 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Obverse features Lady Liberty.
- Reverse features a family of eagles.
- Bears a face value of $10 (USD) fully backed by the American government.
American Gold Eagle coins are struck with a composition of 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper. Their weight, content, and purity are guaranteed by the government. Since first introduced in 1986, the most popular Gold Eagles have always been the 1 oz and the 1/10 oz coins. In 2005, the 1/4 oz Gold Eagles had the lowest mintage of the 4 weights, at 72,015.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt selectively picked Irish-born Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would revitalize US coinage. Saint-Gaudens created the Lady Liberty design initially for the $20 Gold Double Eagles, which were minted from 1907 to 1933. A version of that Lady Liberty design was then selected to appear on the American Gold Eagle coins.
The obverse of the American Gold Eagle features a full-length figure of Lady Liberty. She is directly facing you, her hair flowing behind her. She is carrying a torch in her outstretched right hand and she is holding an olive branch in her left hand. In the background, near her right foot, is the Capitol building. Fifty stars circle the outer rim of the coin. This design was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
The reverse of the American Gold Eagle features an eagle family. The male eagle, clutching olive branches in his claws, is flying towards his nest, with the family waiting. Bald eagles symbolize beauty, strength, and independence. The design was created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. Several inscriptions are included as well.
In 2005, the price per ounce of gold rose for the fifth consecutive year, even surpassing the $500 per ounce mark, which it had not done since 1987. After starting 2005 at $435.60 per ounce, gold ended the year at $513.00 per ounce, an increase of over 17%.
Do you have questions about these coins? If so, 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.