The official gold bullion coin of the US is the American Gold Eagle, first issued in 1986. Its the first gold coin to be minted in the US since 1933. To protect the high quality cameo finish of the Proof coins, the Mint issues them in protective capsules that are placed in boxes fit for display. With their limited mintages, the Proof American Gold Eagle coins are an ideal investment for both collectors and investors. They are struck in 22-karat gold at the West Point Mint. JM Bullion currently has this 2012-W 1 oz Proof American Gold Eagle coin available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a protective capsule in a display-worthy box!
- 27th year of issuance of the Proof American Gold Eagle coins!
- Contains 1 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Fully backed by the US government, it has a face value of $50 (USD).
- Includes a W mint mark from the West Point Mint.
- Obverse features Lady Liberty.
- Reverse features a Bald Eagle.
The US Mint sold 23,630 of the 1 oz Proof American Gold Eagle coins in 2012. Other than 2009 – when no Proof Gold Eagles were issued – this was the lowest annual sales to date of 1 oz Proof Gold Eagles. Sales did pick up in 2013–2015, as the per ounce price of gold tumbled from a closing price in 2012 of $1,664.00 to a closing price in 2015 of $1,060.20. However, since that closing price in 2015, the price of gold has been on a generally upward trend, even surpassing $2,000.00 per ounce in both 2020 and 2022. This has resulted in lower sales of 1 oz Proof Gold Eagles since 2016.
Each Proof American Gold Eagle coin is composed of 91.67% gold from the US. To make the coin more durable, the gold is combined with 3% silver and 5.33% copper. Struck at the Wes Point Mint, they bear a W mint mark on the obverse. Additionally, the coins come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The 2012-W American Gold Eagle coin obverse is based upon the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Lady Liberty Double Eagle design. This full-length figure of Lady Liberty is striding forward, with her hair flowing, in her outstretched right hand she is carrying a torch, and in her left hand she is carrying an olive branch.
The 2012-W American Gold Eagle coin reverse features the male Bald Eagle created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. This design depicts the male eagle, with an olive branch in its talons, flying towards a nest with a female eagle and a couple of eaglets awaiting.
Have any questions? If so, please contact our JM Bullion Customer Service team to get them answered. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via our online live chat, or via our email.