American Gold Eagle: The Most Popular Gold Coin in America
The American Gold Eagle has been the flagship gold coin of the United States Mint since 1986. It contains exactly 1 troy ounce of gold alloyed with small amounts of silver and copper for durability, bringing the total coin weight to 33.93 grams. The 22-karat composition (91.67% gold) matches the traditional alloy used in historic US gold coinage.
In 2021, the US Mint released a refreshed Type 2 design with enhanced anti-counterfeiting features, including a reeded edge variation and updated reverse imagery. The Gold Eagle carries a $50 face value and is legal tender in the United States, though its gold content makes it worth substantially more than face value.
For investors, the American Gold Eagle offers three key advantages: it is backed by the US government for weight and purity, it is IRA-eligible, and it has the deepest secondary market of any gold coin. SD Bullion buys back Gold Eagles through the buyback program at competitive prices tied to live spot.