Today, March 1, the United States Mint released its collection of 2018-W Proof American Gold Eagles.
Struck in proof finish with frosted designs and mirror-like backgrounds, the 22-karat gold coins are available in 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz. and 1/10 oz. sizes that correspond to denominations of $50, $25, $10 and $5.
American Gold Eagle Designs and Specifications
Gold Eagle obverses show Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Fifty stars surround the portrait along with the inscriptions of LIBERTY and 2018. A ‘W’ mint mark indicates the coin was produced at the U.S. Mint’s facility in West Point.
The reverse design (tails), by sculptor Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch while flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets.
Inscribed above is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST. Below we find the coin’s precious metal weight and legal tender face value.
| $50 | $25 | $10 | $5 | |
| Composition | 22 Karat Gold (91.67% Gold 3.0% Silver Balance Copper) |
|||
| Weight | 1.0909 troy oz. (33.931 grams) |
0.5455 troy oz. (16.966 grams) |
0.2727 troy oz. (8.483 grams) |
.1091 troy oz. (3.393 grams) |
| Diameter | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
1.063 inches (27.00 mm) |
0.866 inch (22.00 mm) |
0.650 inch (16.50 mm) |
| Thickness | 0.113 inch (2.87 mm) |
0.085 inch (2.15 mm) |
0.070 inch (1.78 mm) |
0.049 inch (1.26 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded | |||
Pricing and Limits
The U.S. Mint’s numismatic gold coins have prices that can change every Wednesday based on the weekly average of LBMA Gold Prices and this pricing matrix.
Product limits were added this year, along with an initial 24-hour ordering restriction of one per household per product option.
| Debut Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Debut Prices | Product Limits | |
| 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1 oz.) | $1,677.50 | 25,000 |
| 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/2 oz.) | $855.00 | 7,100 |
| 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/4 oz.) | $440.00 | 7,100 |
| 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/10 oz.) | $187.50 | 22,000 |
| 2018 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins (Four-Coin Set) | $3,107.50 | 18,000 |
Ordering
Proof American Gold Eagles and the four-coin set are available from the U.S. Mint’s online page of gold coins, located here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
The coins arrive in a newly designed satin-lined burgundy velvet presentation case, housed inside a burgundy outer box, and are accompanied by certificate of authenticity.
I personally will only buy this coin in bullion form, same beauty at a lower price point.
Mouse
Something is seriously amiss when a coin that is stamped “$50” will cost you $1677.50
Just asayin’ assayin’
who actually buys these?
Mouse – Good thinking.
Gold Farb – Good point.
Dan – Good question.
I actually do buy these as I did with this years release. The US Mint has products for sale plus s/h. Look if you want to participate then do. Should you not care to then don’t. this is simple and easy. Some folks are turning this into a “coin dump” with your analyst views, and on and on. Appreciate the “art of collecting” enjoy it and if your not interested I (personally) will not miss you here!
Gold Farb,
I just thought of a far worse, much more bleak and in fact utterly depressing scenario. If you, for whatever ungodly reason that might somehow arise, were to have to exchange that very American Eagle coin for its equivalent unit of Federal Reserve (fiat, of course) currency at any bank, you would not just effectively but in fact quite literally be handing over $1677.50 of numismatic-quality gold for a $50 bill that in terms of its intrinsically complete lack of precious metal backing isn’t even worth the paper it’s printed on. Such a deal.
Dan, You might be surprised, but these do sell. To a significant extent I would attribute the ongoing commercial viability of relatively expensive gold (and other precious metal) coins to what I like to call the “2% rule”. This simply refers to the fact that whether in good times or in bad times it is the more (and especially the most) high end products – whether they be in the form of the precious metals, fancy automobiles, luxury mansions or giant private yachts – that will commonly be and remain at the forefront of sales in general, since the uber-wealthy… Read more »
Mouse,
Your comment caused me to think that going for the Mint’s bullion version of a standard, repetitive issue coin is likely a really good idea. While this approach isn’t necessarily feasible or even possible with coins like the one-of-a-kind 1/10 oz 24 karat/99.99 gold Liberty $10 coin that we were recently graced with, for the majority of gold and silver “non-unique” coins it clearly might be just the ticket.
ME,
Well said! I agree with you completely…
Old Collector – I learned my lesson with proof gold coins at a young age – pissed away thousands of dollars for shiny modern proof coins, was novice and needed to learn. 90 percent of my collection is strictly bullion , 10 per cent numismatic. I will never lose my love for the numismatic arts and will put the hat on from time to time. Some modern proof coins are so beautiful and have ability to become historic in time (not my life time) but for the majority, they are for those who have never attempted resale and perhaps have… Read more »
Mouse,
As they say nowadays, I hear you. I guess it’s essential to remember that just because someone wants to sell you a shiny coin you don’t have to be mesmerized into buying it, especially if you take the time to remind yourself that not everything holds its value (like the sinking modern commemoratives).
Nowadays, anyone buying gold bullion as an investment because it holds its value doesn’t have good sense. Those with good sense know that gold is bought as a hedge (safety net) so the person is not wiped-out in a financial crises. Those with good sense know that a balanced investment portfolio includes only a small percentage of gold and the remaining percentage is invested elsewhere, earning steady returns. I will admit that I do get mesmerized, but not mesmerized into buying a beautiful gold Proof coin, but mesmerized when holding an actual encapsulated SHINY GOLD PROOF BUFFALO in my gloved… Read more »
Coinfused – Well said my friend and I could not agree with you more. To invest more than 30 per cent of ones wealth in precious metals is not sound logic or an sound form of investing. For those that can purchase high level coins, yes they have done it right, and I am sure we all on this site have done it right from time to time. Modern Proofs don’t qualify as sound investments…well maybe a few do lol…The Buffalo design (Canadian or not…it is by far my favorite coin design – have many an always will / Bullion… Read more »
coinfused & Mouse,
Excellent point. I for one wouldn’t trade my IRA for all the tea (or counterfeit coins 🙂 ) in China.
Also, be sure you never confuse bullion with bouillon or your investment will likely end up in the soup.
Another year another AGE Saint…… but hey look they lowered the premium, wha SAY WHAT? $64o+ over spot, well they can use them for milke chocolate as far as I care…. ASE same old.. Breast Cancer same designs… HR MEdals more versions than COke or Pepsi…. where are the stuff to attract the collectors, or the buyers, NONE, flippers are dead…. like Sea World no more Orca’s very few flippers (Till Pd Proof I preeedict…) AGE Proof I say Whopppeee ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz