2016 NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin - John M. Mercanti Label

2016 NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin - John M. Mercanti Label

The 2016 release of American Gold Eagles commemorated the 30th anniversary of the American Eagles Program. 

John M. Mercanti, the 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint, created numerous designs for US circulating, commemorative, and bullion coins, including the original reverse of the Silver Eagles. In 2021, he was recognized as one of the most influential figures in numismatics.

SD Bullion proudly offers 2016 1/2 oz American Gold Eagles from those purchased in the US Mint on day #1 of their issue, certified by NGC as MS-70 coins, and sealed with a unique 30th Anniversary Bald Eagle label hand-signed by John M. Mercanti.

Coin Highlights

• Evaluated, encapsulated, and graded as an MS-70 coin by NGC;
• Sealed with a special 30th Anniversary Bald Eagle label hand-signed by John M. Mercanti.
• Produced by the US Mint;
• Purchased on day #1 of issue;

• Contains 1/2 oz of actual gold content;
• With anti-counterfeiting reeded edges;
• Bears legal tender status and a USD 25 denomination;
• IRAs eligible;
• Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty is on the obverse;
• Miley Busiek’s reverse design.

The Design

The obverse, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, depicts Lady Liberty striding forward with a torch and an olive branch, symbolizing the nation's journey towards progress, peace, and enlightenment. 

The Capitol Building appears on the lower left, "LIBERTY" is inscribed along the upper rim, and the minting year is on the right.

The original reverse, created by Miley Busiek, features a family of Bald Eagles. A female eagle shelters her hatchling under her wing while the male eagle perches on the nest. 

It includes the engravings "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," the mottos "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the coin's specifications of weight, metal content, and face value: "1/2 OZ. FINE GOLD—25 DOLLARS."

An NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue coin 

NGC stands for Numismatic Guaranty Company. It is a third-party grading service that works independently from sovereign mints. It appraises and grades coins using the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70.

For NGC, a “First Day of Issue” is a coin purchased from the US Mint on the very first day it was made publicly available.

The term MS or Mint State describes a coin with the same format as a business circulation one that remained uncirculated. 70 is the grade given to coins with no visible flaws.

Buy 2016 NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin - John M. Mercanti Label at SD Bullion

Elevate your gold collection with Graded Gold Eagles, especially sealed by NGC.

Purchase the 2016 NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin - John M. Mercanti Label online from SD Bullion.

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