Since the passage of the Gold Bullion Act of 1985, the American Gold Eagle Bullion coins have been diligently produced each year. Ronald Reagan signed the bill into action, forever changing the US precious metals industry. The first American Eagle was released in 1986 and was offered in sizes of 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz.
American Gold Eagles are produced annually, by the US Mint, and carry the same design year after year. In order to preserve the crispness of the strike, the US Mint throws out the dies every year, and makes brand new ones for the succeeding year. The American Gold Eagles are 22-karat pure, containing an alloy of silver and copper lending to the coin's resistance to wear. Compared to other gold bullion coins, the American Gold Eagle is a larger and stronger coin.
The American Gold Eagle is the United States' official gold bullion coin and remains an homage to one of the most influential gold coins in the nation's history. The obverse follows the artistic design created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, for the $20 Gold Double Eagles, issued from 1907-1933. Saint-Gaudens was exclusively picked by president, Theodore Roosevelt, to design an image that would be a part of US history, while also reinvigorating US gold coinage.
