1987 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coin

1987 1 oz American Gold Eagle Coin

The American Eagle Program is one of the most successful coin programs around the globe. It has struck bullion coins annually since its first release in 1986. The program debuted with a pair of bullion coins, the 1 oz Silver and the 1 oz Gold American Eagles, which quickly became best-sellers, supported by the nation’s reliability in the international market.

The American Gold Eagle is a leading seller of gold coins. It is the official gold bullion coin in the USA, produced by the US Mint since the Liberty Coin Act in 1985. The Gold Eagle coin is a premiere sample. It is a one-ounce 22-carat gold coin imprinted with remarkable historical value.

Coin Highlights

• Contains 1 oz of 22-carat gold (.9167 fineness);
• Holds a face value of USD 50 and legal tender status guaranteed by the US Government;
• With reeded edges;
• The obverse showcases the 1907 Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty;
• The reverse features the original Bald Eagle design.

The Design

The obverse reproduces Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty design, initially used in the 1907 20-dollar Double Eagle Coin. 

The image represents the nation's march to progress as Lady Liberty walks forward, carrying a torch and an olive branch, symbolizing the nation’s evolution to peace and enlightenment. “LIBERTY” is engraved on the upper rim. The Capitol Building is on the lower left, and the coin’s mintage year is on the right, in Roman letters. Six-pointed stars encircle the image.

The reverse side displays the premiere design before its revamp in 2021.

It displays a familiar scenery where a female Bald Eagle cherishes its hatchling under her wing while the male Eagle perches on their nest. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arches over the image, which is flanked by the mottos “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The coin’s description of weight, metal content, and face value are on the bottom and read: “1 OZ. FINE GOLD - 50 DOLLARS.”

Mintage

American Gold Eagle coins are essentially 22-karat gold (.9167 fineness). The US Mint includes 3% silver and 5.33% copper in the alloy, making them durable and robust.

They are guaranteed to contain 1 troy ounce of gold, as the silver and copper are further added on top of the pure gold content. That means this coin is slightly heavier than similar gold bullion coins in the market, such as the .9999 fine Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. 

The 1 oz American Gold Eagle actually weighs 1.0909 troy ounces (or 33.931 grams) with a diameter of 1.287 inches (32.70 mm).

Buy 1987 1 oz Gold Eagle Coins at SD Bullion

Collect the coins of the American Eagle Program.

You can get them at SD Bullion. Shop online or contact our service desk at 1(800)294-8732.