Gold is a topic of the day with the just released United States Mint 2020-W Proof American Gold Eagles.
These West Point Mint-struck coins are numismatic versions of the U.S. Mint’s bullion American Gold Eagle program. They are quite popular with collectors who purchase thousands annually despite their higher price tags.
Five options are available for the new coins, including 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz. and 1/10 oz. sizes with respective face values of $50, $25, $10 and $5 and a four-coin set which contains one of each. All are in 22-karat gold bearing a proof finish which is noted for its frosted designs and mirror-like backgrounds.
Designs and Specifications
Designs for the coins are familiar to most as they have appeared on American Gold Eagles since their debut in 1986. This especially includes the obverse (heads side) Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ likeness of Liberty. The perennial favorite design of Liberty made its first appearance on 1907-1933 $20 gold coins.
It offers Liberty with her flowing hair as she holds a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Fifty stars surround the portrait along with the inscriptions of LIBERTY above and the year of 2020 to the right. Below the date we find a ‘W’ mintmark for the West Point Mint.
The reverse (tails side) design was created by artist Miley Busiek. It offers a male eagle carrying an olive branch while flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets.
Inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST. Below, the coin’s precious metal weight and legal tender face value are shown.
Specifications for the proof Gold Eagles are as follows:
| $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 Ordering
The U.S. Mint utilizes a pricing matrix to determine the price of its numismatic gold products. This matrix links the price of coins weekly to fluctuations in the precious metals market. As such, the cost of these coins may go up or down each Wednesday depending upon recent market conditions.
Launching prices for this year’s coins are presented in the table below. They are based on an average of LBMA gold that is within $1,500.00 to $1,549.99 an ounce. The most recent LBMA fixing placed gold at $1,474.25 an ounce.
| Debut Prices | |
|---|---|
| 2020 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1 oz.) | $2,175.00 |
| 2020 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/2 oz.) | $1,105.00 |
| 2020 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/4 oz.) | $565.00 |
| 2020 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/10 oz.) | $240.00 |
| 2020 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins (Four-Coin Set) | $4,040.00 |
2020-W Proof American Gold Eagles and the four-coin set are available from the U.S. Mint’s online page of gold coins, located here. Customers may also place an order by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Each individual coin as well as the 4-coin set ships in a satin-lined burgundy velvet presentation case and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
