2016-W NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1 oz American Gold Eagle Burnished Coin - Mike Castle Label

2016-W NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1 oz American Gold Eagle Burnished Coin - Mike Castle Label

The US Mint celebrated the 30th anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program in 2016.

The series debuted in the numismatic and bullion world, presenting two one-ounce coins: a Silver and a Gold Eagle. The US Mint boosted the series in the same year by including fractional gold options and varied finishes.

Burnished Gold Eagles undergo a special treatment process that polishes the blanks and cleans them from undesired oxides. That results in a matte appearance with more vivid design details.

These coins, in particular, are Burnished Gold Eagles, issued at the West Point branch, and carry the “W” mint mark. They were purchased from the US Mint on day #1 of public release, sealed, and certified by the NGC as a perfect MS-70 coin with a special Mike Castle Label.

Congressman Mike Castle, former Governor of Delaware and member of the US House of Representatives, is directly responsible for some of the most essential US coin programs, such as the 50 State Quarters Program, the Sacagawea Dollar, the Presidential Dollar Series, the American Platinum Eagle, and the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

At SD Bullion, you can purchase 2016-W 1 oz American Gold Eagle Burnished Coins graded as MS-70 First Day of Issue coins and sealed in NGC Exclusive Mike Castle Label.

Coin Highlights

• Evaluated, encapsulated, and graded as an MS-70 coin by NGC;
• Sealed with NGC Exclusive Mike Castle Label;
• Taken from the US Mint on day #1 of public release;
• Burnished coin;
• Produced by the United States Mint;
• Issued in West Point and carries the “W” mint mark;
• Contains 1 oz of .9167 gold;
• With anti-counterfeiting reeded edges;
• Bears legal tender status and a USD 50 denomination;
• The obverse stamps Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ design;
• Miley Busiek’s reverse features the majestic Eagle.

The Design

The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty, initially designed to be the face of the 1907 $20 Double Eagle. 

With “LIBERTY” arching over her head, Lady Liberty walks forward, carrying a torch and an olive branch, symbolizing the nation’s evolution to peace and enlightenment. 

The Capitol Building is on the lower left, and the coin’s mintage year is on the right. Six-pointed stars encircle the image.

The reverse design displays Miley Busiek’s nesting Bald Eagles as a family. On this side, the inscriptions correspond to “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” the two mottos “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the face value of “50 DOLLARS” and “1 OZ FINE GOLD.”

Burnished Coins

A Burnished American Eagle Coin results from a “burnishing” process, hence the name. It essentially means that the blanks are cleaned from all oxides formed during the annealing and rimming process. This way, burnished coins get a satin look and a smooth surface but less reflective luster than Proof American Eagles.

An NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue Coin

NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) uses the Sheldon Grading Scale to evaluate and attribute grades to coins.

MS stands for Mint State, indicating a coin crafted in the format of a business circulation coin. Since it has never been in circulation, the coin has no sign of wear, tear, or scratching, which grants it a 70 grade.

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.

Buy 2016-W NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1 oz American Gold Eagle Burnished Coin - Exclusive Mike Castle Label at SD Bullion

Elevate your gold collection.

Purchase the 2016-W NGC MS-70 First Day of Issue 1 oz American Gold Eagle Burnished Coin sealed with an Exclusive Mike Castle Label online, 24/7, from SD Bullion.

You can also purchase during regular business hours with our customer service at 1(800)294-8732 or through our web chat feature.