American Gold Eagle coins come in four different denominations - 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz and 1 oz of 22 karat gold combined with a small amount of alloy to make the coins stronger. Gold is a soft metal so the addition of some alloy metal during the coin-making process helps prevent scratches and other surface marks that can devalue the coin.
Like the Silver Eagles, the US Gold Eagle Coins feature a classic portrait of Liberty. The Liberty on the Gold Eagle is based upon Augustus Saint-Gauden's beloved figure, which was designed and first used on the $20 Double Eagle gold coin in 1907. The gold eagle's reverse, featuring a beautiful family of Eagles, was designed by the artist Miley Busiek.
Since gold is one of the most popular investment-quality precious metals, it isn't surprising that the US Gold Eagle coins represent one of the most highly traded bullion coins available. Value is based upon the gold spot price, plus a small premium for minting. With four different denominations, it's possible for even modest collectors and investors to buy official US gold bullion.
In addition to the standard (uncirculated) bullion issue, the US Mint also issues a collectible proof version of the Gold Eagle American, but of course, the uncirculated coins are just as collectible and some collectors prefer them to proofs.
In our current economic climate, gold has become a highly desired safe harbor investment, so recently the US Mint made a determination that it no longer made sense for them to mint the fractional issues, which means that now only the 1 oz coins are officially available. They have also, for the moment, stopped minting the proof coins. The Mint is required by law to keep up with the demand for gold bullion coins and in order to do so they've had to dedicate all production to that end.
However, there are still plenty of fractional denominations and Gold Eagle proofs available in the secondary market. You can check the Ebay listings listed above for some of the best prices you are likely to find on American gold eagle coins.
 |
 5 US Gold Coin Half Eagle 1897 S $450.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-4-2012 22:27:10 PST Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 1986 50 25 10 5 DOLLAR GOLD COIN LOT AMERICAN EAGLE $4,499.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 2:26:36 PST Buy It Now for only: $4,499.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 Gold on Silver Cut Coin US Dollar Eagle and Stars Earrings $131.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 3:18:34 PST Buy It Now for only: $131.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1992 Gold 5 American Eagle Proof Coin Untouched $206.03 (17 Bids) End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:23:05 PST |
 1911 S Saint Gaudens 20 Double Eagle Gold Coin PCGS MS65 $5,200.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:34:19 PST Buy It Now for only: $5,200.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 1914 S 2000 GOLD DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN MS 64 NGC $2,200.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:47:49 PST |
 2007 AMERICAN EAGLE 50 GOLD COIN $1,900.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:48:56 PST |
 2007 AMERICAN EAGLE 5 GOLD COIN $200.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:57:31 PST |
 1915 S 2000 GOLD DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN MS 64 NGC $2,200.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 7:59:28 PST |
 2007 AMERICAN EAGLE 5 GOLD COIN $200.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 8:00:49 PST |
 1924 Saint Gaudens 20 Double Eagle Gold Coin IGC MS65 $2,495.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 8:01:19 PST Buy It Now for only: $2,495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 NEW 1 Oz 2012 AM GOLD EAGLE 50 COIN w SPEC PRESENTATION PKG GIFT ITEM $2,060.97 End Date: Sunday Feb-5-2012 8:09:50 PST Buy It Now for only: $2,060.97 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |