| Gold Eagle coins are a type of coin made by the | | | | value is much higher; therefore, they are not |
| United States Mint which uses the eagle as its | | | | circulated quite as much. The content of purity |
| base-unit of denomination. They are available in 1 | | | | and weight of the gold eagle coins was different |
| oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz gold. The four | | | | when the coins were first issued. |
| denomination units that were used are the cent, | | | | The eagles consisted of 270 troy grains of gold |
| dime, dollar and the eagle in a system where the | | | | with 135 troy grains going in the half eagles and |
| eagle represented ten dollars, ten dimes made a | | | | 67 ½ troy grains in the quarter eagles with |
| dollar and ten cents made up a dime. These coins | | | | the weight being 1 part alloy to 11 parts gold for a |
| were widely circulated until they were taken out | | | | total purity of 22 karats. Changes were made to |
| of circulation in 1933. Although many people | | | | the ratio of silver to gold in 1834. Instead of 15:1 it |
| mistake them for the American Eagle coins, there | | | | became 16:1while also changing the weight of the |
| are a different collection of coins. The American | | | | coins. The weight became 258 troy grains for the |
| Eagle coin is a gold bullion coin that's been used | | | | eagle instead of the original 270 with the same |
| since 1987 unlike the Gold Eagle coins that | | | | proportional changes being made to the other |
| stopped after 1933. | | | | coins. These changes stayed in place until 1933 |
| Different Productions of Gold Eagle Coins | | | | when the coins stopped being circulated. |
| Different years represented different types of | | | | Collectible Gold Eagle Coins |
| coins that were produced. The United States Mine | | | | There are numerous collectible gold eagle coins |
| issued: | | | | available from coin dealers, coin auctions or online |
| - Quarter eagles from 1796 to 1929 (diameter 17 | | | | antique and coin stores. One example is the old |
| mm) | | | | $10 gold Indian eagle coin. The front of this coin |
| - Half eagles from 1795 to 1929 (21 mm) | | | | displays an Indian head with the date on the |
| - Double eagles from 1850 to 1933 (34 mm) | | | | bottom and 13 stars on top. The reverse of this |
| - Eagles from 1795 to 1933 (27 mm) | | | | coin has an eagle with IN GOD WE TRUST on the |
| In 1984, West Point began issuing eagles with the | | | | left and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the right; UNITED |
| same size, weight and composition that were on | | | | STATES OF AMERICA on the top and the |
| the coins prior to 1933. These were minted as | | | | denomination TEN DOLLARS on the bottom. This |
| commemorative coins to go the general public. | | | | coin, from the early 1900s is just one of many |
| Although they are considered as legal tender just | | | | excellent gold eagle coins that can be collected |
| like the American Eagle gold bullion coins, their | | | | and saved. |