The United States Mint today at noon ET released its 2017-W $50 Uncirculated American Gold Eagle, the 10th issue in the 1-ounce gold coin series which debuted in 2006.
This is a burnished edition of the companion bullion piece. The latter is intended for investors while the former, like the related proof version, is struck for coin collectors.
American Gold Eagles share the same basic imagery whether bullion, proof or uncirculated. They are made at the U.S. Mint facility in West Point. Only the numismatic proof and uncirculated editions, however, feature the West Point Mint’s ‘W’ mintmark.
Initial pricing for the 22-karat gold coin is $1,575.00, representing an increase of $50 from last year’s starting price. The price can change weekly depending on the Mint’s pricing schedule and the trending value of gold.
Coin Designs and Specifications
Adorning the coin’s obverse (heads side) is a design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It depicts Liberty as was first seen on 1907-1933 $20 gold coins. This design has proven popular with collectors. Added to the image of allegorical figure are inscriptions of LIBERTY, the year and the mintmark.
Miley Busiek’s image showing a family of eagles graces the reverse (tails side) of each coin. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, the composition of 1 OZ. FINE GOLD and the face value of 50 DOLLARS.
U.S. Mint-provided coin specifications follow:
Gold Eagle Coin Specifications
| Denomination: | $50 |
| Composition: | 91.67% Gold, 3.0% Silver, Balance Copper |
| Weight: | 1.0909 troy oz. (33.931 grams) |
| Diameter: | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
| Thickness | 0.113 inch (2.87 mm) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint Mark: | West Point — W |
Ordering
Order 2017-W $50 Uncirculated American Gold Eagles directly from the U.S. Mint’s website page dedicated to gold coins, located here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). No mintage, household or order limits apply.
Low Mintages
Some collect uncirculated Gold Eagles because their mintages are far lower than counterpart proof and bullion editions. Sales of last year’s release ended at 6,887 coins, the third lowest in the uncirculated series. The two lower mintage years happened in 2015 at 6,533 and in 2012 at 5,829.
The U.S. Mint released uncirculated Gold Eagles in 1/10 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/2 oz. and 1 oz. sizes in years 2006 to 2008. The coin program was suspended in 2009 and 2010. The series resumed in 2011 as an annual offering with the 1 oz. size.
I owned a 2006 SP70 Gold Coin with the 20th Anniversary Label that I decided to sell this year because I don’t see gold going any higher. I could not find a buyer for more than $1,500 (this year). Therefore, I cannot believe anyone would buy an ungraded coin from the US Mint for $1,575. I guess I am the fool.
Scott the Robot – The only thing I can think of that kept you from getting a better offer on the coin you described is that it was the first year of the burnished finish AGE $50 coin & the mintage (sales) was very high at about 45,000 coins in 2006 – the highest by far for the entire series. Every year since 2011 this coin has sold an average of around 8,000 of these burnished coins only. I agree that the purchase price premium is high now, but the sales (mintage) are low & they carry a good premium… Read more »
It would be nice if the mint brings back brunished fractionals in gold & platinum eagles also the 24-karat American Buffalo coin.
NumisDude – interesting point about the mintage – was unaware the mintage after 2011 has been that low.
The 2017-W $50 Uncirculated American Gold Eagle sold out by the first week of November 2017 after being available for only 5 months. Its sales figures as of November 5, 2017 was 5,800 which makes it the lowest mintage of its type. The previous low was 5,829 for the 2012-W $50 Uncirculated American Gold Eagle.