United States Mint redesigned 2021-W Proof American Gold Eagles launch today at noon (ET). The "Type 2" coins feature an enhanced obverse and a brand new reverse.
Products include a 1 oz. coin, fractional sized 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz. and 1/10 oz. coins, and an all-inclusive four-coin set. All together, this equates to five options which continue the U.S. Mint’s 35-year American Eagle Gold Coin Program.
2021-W Proof American Gold Eagles showcasing the classic, Type 1 designs were offered earlier this year. All of them were snapped up by buyers within minutes.
Designs and Specifications
The obverse (heads side) of the new proof Gold Eagles still carry a depiction of the 1907 full-length figure of Liberty as designed by celebrated sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. However, the Mint utilized original historical assets to create a closer reflection of Saint-Gaudens’ original vision and detail including modifications to the Capitol Building, stars, torch, sun rays, and other design elements based on the original bronze cast.
This design offers Liberty with flowing hair and depicts her holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. Inscriptions include "LIBERTY," "2021," the artist’s initials, and a "W" mintmark indicating the coin’s production at the U.S. Mint’s facility in West Point.
Created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designer Jennie Norris and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon, a portrait of an eagle is found on the new reverse design.
Surrounding inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IN GOD WE TRUST," the artists’ initials, the coin’s legal tender face value, and the coin’s precious metal weight.
The following U.S. Mint image shows the key redesign features of the Type 2 American Gold Eagles:
Aside from an anti-counterfeit reeded edge variation, specifications for the coins remain identical to past issues, as shown below:
| $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 Edge Variation | |||
Limits, Prices and Ordering
2021-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.
Limits and prices for the 22-karat gold coins are provided in the following table:
| Product Option | Product Limit | Mintage Limit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 $50 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1 oz.) | 5,625 | 15,875 | $2,700.00 |
| 2021 $25 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/2 oz.) | 2,000 | 12,250 | $1,375.00 |
| 2021 $10 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/4 oz.) | 3,375 | 13,625 | $715.00 |
| 2021 $5 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/10 oz.) | 10,000 | 20,250 | $315.00 |
| 2021 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins (Four-Coin Set) | 10,250 | N/A | $5,055.00 |
The product limit is the maximum number of coins issued in that specific product whereas the mintage limit is the maximum number of coins of that denomination. For example, the product limit of the four-coin set has been established at 10,250. An additional 5,625 of the one-ounce coins will be available as an individual release giving the $50 coin a total mintage limit of just 15,875.
All products have an initial household order limit of one.
If any of the products last, their prices may be adjusted weekly based on the Mint’s precious metals coin pricing matrix. Current U.S. Mint gold coin prices are based on an average of LBMA gold that is within $1,800.00 to $1,849.99 an ounce.
A question from the cheap seats:
Are you chaps who will be purchasing all 4 gold eagles, be purchasing them as the 4 coin set? Or as individual coins?
@ $900 Over spot per ounce!
the 1oz is the value play. the 4-unit set has no mintage limit (i don’t know what that means) is the second-best value.
i will try ordering the 1oz, then the set. in that order.
How is the 1 oz gold coin a “value play?” You’re paying $900+ over spot! I’m going to try for the set, even at these outrageous prices.
paul chiu – The 4-coin set has a product limit of 10,250 sets as shown in the chart above & on the Mint’s website. The 1-ounce coin alone has a mintage limit of 15,875 (10,250 in the 4-coin sets & 5,625 of the 1-ounce coin sold as a separate product option as shown in the chart above, for a total of 15,875 of the 1-ounce coins). With about a $900 premium over spot gold price today for the 1-ounce coin, I’ll go for the 4-coin set only & get them all at once since the others may sell out faster… Read more »
Seth, I think you were wrong about your assessment of people willing to pay $5055 for the 4 coin set. I would’ve agreed with you 100% on that except I saw how fast the last version of these coins sold out.As I’ve already stated, I’m totally amazed how fast these new versions vanished. Congratulations on securing your set!
Larry T. – I guess in this Covid-era very high overall coin market, I should not be so surprised that a gold 4-coin set with an issue price of $5,055 with a new reverse design went “Currently Unavailable” in like 10 minutes. It’s crazy, I know – but I’m buying for my 4 nephews who will get most of my collection when I’m gone. Plus, I basically got hooked on numismatics with interest in coins, tokens, medals & paper money when I was 10 years old (started buying directly from the Mint at age 14 in 1976) & I can’t… Read more »
Seth, your nephews are sure lucky to have you as a Uncle. By the time you do pass these on, hopefully in many years to come, their value will have appreciated nicely. I don’t buy the gold Proofs every year but I did want the 1st year of new designed coins. I have several of the earlier sets and all have increased in value. I still don’t like having to pay $900 over spot to the Mint for gold!
Comrade, any idea why 2 of the “share” links on all our comments go to Russia?
Click on the sideways “share”caret next to commenter’s name, then click on either of the two icons that arent Twitter.
Daniel,If you buy the 4 coin set, the Mint “saves” you about $50 over buying all 4 separately. Woopee!
Larry T –
Good one! Like using a coupon…Lol.
NumisdudeTX
Lol. I dont look at it that way if thats the case one could argue, you have to spend $5,055 just to save 50 bucks lol.
$5,050 saved is one truly groovy gem 1921 Peace dollar earned.
Woohoo got the 4 pack. Had three failed attempts, the 4th try I signed up for shipping reminder and while the order was being processed i got a confirmation text for shipping about 10 seconds later the page refreshed and I had an order successful, message. All done within 5 minutes
Jake, I too was able to secure the 4 coin set…just barely! It took a few tries as getting through the CC and Place Order was screwy to say the least. I secured one of the last sets before it sold out. I was amazed that every single option to purchase the gold Eagles sold out it minutes! I never got the chance to buy the 1/10th gold coin!
Go now, thankfully I got the word they are available for backorder.
Jake Thanks for the heads up although we’ll have to wait until Nov. 3rd to see if we get them!
Terrible system… Thought it was supposed to be fixed after their silver fiasco problems. Sat at my computer signed in to the website waiting for the reminder button to change to place in bag button and took care of business before the first 30 seconds was up. Immediately attempted check out. All my information was already in place for payment. After a slowdown for them to display my already inputted credit card information. Confirmed it and pushed placed order button. My processing bar slowed down to a crawl so I went back and went through the whole process again again… Read more »
I mean it is only 10 percent and they are technically “coin retailers”
I had the same occurrence for their last silver fiasco but managed to get a coin after doing the same thing you did (shipping reminder).
It is interesting, perhaps a coincidence that worked again for me today
so already sold out in three minutes. Never even saw an option to get one – already said product unavailable
I went online around 11:39 CST and placed an order that went to backorder immediately. With in 5 minutes the order was in processing status and my CC has already been charged. Now this was for the $5 1/10 oz coin. Maybe that is why it was so easy. No bots here also.
JWP, I hope you saw that the Mints expected availability date isn’t until November 3rd for the back ordered 1/10th Proof Eagle.
Not a problem, I’m waiting for 10 Morgan CC’s and 2 O’s. I can wait for another coin. Probably just an early Christmas gift. After 22 years in the military – waiting in in my DNA.
Damn, congratulation on securing 10 Morgan CC’s and 2 O’s! I was only able to get 5 of the Morgan O’s and am thrilled about that. Fall is a favorite time of year for me and will be doubly so this year. Thank you for your service!
Agreed (with Larry T). Congrats on the Morgans. The ordering snafu failed me (as much as many others) on those.
Debating whether I want to even try for the others (w/o a complete “set”).
I can’t speak for others, but if ya wanna get full set b4 secondary mrk, I’d keep plugging away w new releases. I guess I was fortunate getting conf of 5 ea CC & Mardis Gras. Doesn’t mean bunk till in hand, but if I come up short on nxt 4, I’d do a 1 for 1 swap as needed.
Phil,
I don’t think I’ll be able to get all 4 of the remaining Morgan’s and Peace dollars, but I sure will try. Personally, I’d like to get the S Morgan next week and the Peace dollar after that. We will see as I’m expecting the Mints site to be erratic.
Kaiser,
I certainly agree with you but if wishing, hoping, and wanting something to happen mattered, I’d be a billionaire. Our government no longer serves us, only those that enable them to secure more power and influence. Its all about the money baby! I’m sure you know that better than most.
Kaiser,
As far as the enrollment for the Morgans and Peace coins, if they are to be issued only this year would it make sense to have an enrollment program? The enrollment program is usually reserved for continuing yearly issues. Now I’ve heard rumors of the Mint continuing these coins, but a rumor is just that.
Larry & Kaiser, I’m wrong a lot, so feel free to correct. Imo, the important thing w/Morgan & Peace is that the mint is not bound for 2021 only by congress & can decide to continue? IF that’s true, why wouldn’t they want to make it a series that is a pretty safe bet to make $? I hopped on board thinking it was a 1 yr only & that’s all the effort I’m willing to put into it. Unless, they do like the palladium & dbl mintage nxt yr so one doesn’t have to stay wired at high noon… Read more »
The wings were clipped on this design. Looks more like a parakeet to me. lolz While not a fan of the new design, yeah I ordered the 1 oz (mine mine mine) and 1/10th oz (for my sis / bro in-law for xmas) since its the 1st year. I got nervous because I initially got the page not found glitch on checkout. But went back to the cart and re-did it and it looks like it went thru. Wont be 100% sure until they say they honored the order – got the confirmation they GOT the order tho. Maybe we’ll… Read more »
Hmmm. Ordered these Type 2 AGEs and about 25 mins later got my 3 W T2 ASEs!! Happy day (except the cost).
Rob S, I hope your sister and her husband appreciate your gift. nothing like receiving gold to brighten up one’s day! Are you sure we aren’t related? LOL
They’re very appreciative, but kinda “forced collectors”, since I’ve been getting them the 1/10th for a while now – since my nieces were born in the 90s probably. It made some sense since it depicted a family of eagles, but now … ?? (its just gold?) I felt a bit guilty since its only the size of a dime, but I know the cost! This year it looks like they’re getting a Type 1 *AND* 2!! (received order confirmation) I joined PCGS last year (and re-up’d again this year) and got their 2020 coin graded. They can scan it in… Read more »
i’ve bought the gold proofs for my grandsons as a HS/college graduation present. So far, 3 down, 2 to go in a few more years. Hopefully ordering one won’t be an issue at that time. Affordability, well…..that’s a different story
WOW, the 1-oz Proof Gold Eagle sold out in just 9 minutes.
(At $900 over the spot price.)
$900 over spot …
The Air Force needs its diamond studded hammers and airplane transmission wrench sets. lol
1/2 oz sold out in 10mins. what the hell? Next one , Silver reverse proof set must be BIG Hit .
I hope they mint more than 30,000 of the Reverse ASE Sets, as I really want one! Let’s hope they keep the HHO limit to one set. And yet we still have to worry about procuring the remaining Morgans and Peace Dollars. I can’t wait for Fall to arrive!
Kaiser, As far as the S and D minted Morgans, are you going to try and buy both? If the website becomes as slow as I expect, I’ll probably go for one of the two Morgans.I know it’s frustrating getting booted from the payment page (it’s happened to me more than a few times!) but if we got everything or every coin we wanted, wouldn’t it be a bit boring? I’m going into this fray ‘hoping’ to get one of the coins. If I can secure two, man that would be heaven! Good luck to all of us drooling coin… Read more »
I purchased only the 1/2 ounce one already got the confirmation email. Easier than ever got it with no errors or delay less than 1 minute : ). I figured that one is best value based on mintage.
Got my 1/2 ounce and 1/10 ounce with only one problem The first time I entered my payment information I got booted out with the message that the page was not available. The second time it went through and I have received the email confirming my purchase. Total time was 3 minutes.
Same here. I got that too. But it went thru (at least to acknowledgement).
I received that same message, Peter, before my order went through. I normally do not buy gold (I love silver), but I was hoping to at least purchase the 1/10th ounce and I got it. I have to think I was very lucky to get it. I ordered it via my tablet and WiFi in the parking lot of my part-time job.
All of the coins and set are unavailable except the 1/10th ounce. As of 9:51 am (PT) it is showing backordered.
PLG, my man, thank you. I was able to backorder one of the 10th ounce also. 12:10 CST it was still available for backorder.
Has any of you that ordered received your confirmation emails yet?
I received my separate emails for my 1/10, 1/4 and 1 oz coins. My finger is tired from the frenzied clicking!!!
Jay, Those fingers should be in the Olympics! They would certainly win the “gold medal.” By the time I got the 4 coin set, all the other ones were gone. I don’t know if the back ordered 1/10th ounce coin will ever be delivered to me.
Hi Sherry I received the order confirmation at 11:02am MST and the we received your order at 10am MST. I only ordered the 1/2 ounce
Oh I just checked my bank account and they already processed it from my checking account.
Charge was pending on my card right away but got the conf 1:54 after order.
I got my confirmation for the 4 coin set
That $5,055 for the four-coin set bought 1.85 oz. of gold.
This would have bought 2½ 1-oz random year gold eagles from a website I just checked.
– The difference between collecting vs. investing…
Mammoth, I do both, but my investing is related to the stock market, I wanted to get the first year set and wasn’t too concerned about the price. Although, I have seen sites that would pay those of us that were able to buy the 4 coin set more than what we paid. Also, I could sell every single gold coin that I have purchased over the years for more money than what I paid. As an example, my 2006 Proof Buffaloes that I paid $800 per would sell for $1836 today (at just spot value for gold!) And with… Read more »
Received my order confirmation for the 1/10th ounce at 02:49EST.
Received my confirmation from the Mint for the set at 3:47PM!
Have you guys seen on the website where you can buy a pretty customized velvet box with a personalized message for $8.95 when available?It wasn’t on there when they were on sale earlier.We are now going to pay for the nice velvet box.
I looked again and it is on the type 1 coins not the type 2?????It is confusing,so why are these not available on the type 2 coins?
Sherry, I would suggest that you call the Mint and ask customer service if they have any of those boxes. I’ve always just liked the OGP that the coins come in. Good luck with your quest!
https://catalog.usmint.gov/storage/collectors-boxes/
Just $3 each if you buy 100
This US Mint packaging is just what the dishonest folks out there need, to sell the FAKE chinese coins that are flooding the market.
Kaiser – these boxes have been available for a number of years in bulk for the dealers. But, the Mint knows this fact & does nothing about this abuse, as follows – unscrupulous coin dealers/flippers etc. buy these boxes from the Mint & put the common bullion version ASE $1 coins(& the bullion version gold & platinum coins also) in them since the silver ones are issued by the Mint in plastic tubes of 20 coins to the bullion version precious metals coin Authorized Purchasers (about 12 companies in the USA, Germany & Japan) in the separate program from the… Read more »
Seth, I know coin hawkers like Mike “these coins are rarer than rare” Mezak and others are selling MS coins as those they are something special, but I’ve never seen them stating that these are Proof coins. I like watching these polished snake oil salesmen to see some of the newly released coins but wonder who would buy these at such ridiculous prices. I am well aware that our country is full of naive, gullible consumers.
And voters. Oops. Did I text that out loud?
Mark,
Careful FaceBook will ban you. Oh, that’s right, we’re not on FB! Lol
Phew! Thanks for the caution Mr. T. I pity the… oh, never mind.
The motto on my corporation’s crest is, “Carpe Per Diem.”
My corporation crest for
Pimp Co. has the motto “Coitus Per Diem” on it, and on the back is, “A dollar makes me holler”.
Does that translate to, “Having a f’d-, up day”?
Baa, Baa, I have to go to sheep, I mean sleep, now…yea that’s the ticket.
NumisdudeTX
On a different note, regarding another big gold coin going on sale August 19, 2021, the Mint recently posted the product/mintage limit for the 2021-W $100 American Liberty High Relief Gold Coin, with mintage = 12,500. This makes the new bucking American Mustang horse American Liberty gold coin the lowest mintage of the American Liberty Gold Coin Program series. Here are the numbers to compare for the series — 2015-W $100 High Relief Brilliant Uncirculated: mintage = 49,325 2017-W $100 High Relief Proof: latest sales = 33,859 2018-W $10 Proof: latest sales = 42,760 2019-W $100 High Relief Enhanced Uncirculated:… Read more »
As someone who enjoys the American Liberty series, I find that bucking horse is a ridiculous (near comical) looking representation. I only started buying the series because I loved the look of the 2017 High Relief coin. I wasn’t going to bother with his next one … but god damnit … with numbers like that FOMO will make me join the chaos.
Kaiser –
Maybe a Lady Godiva-like nude Lady Liberty riding a horse bareback & sideways as a true Lady would, is next in this somewhat “freaky” series of gold coins from the U.S. Mint…
I can’t draw stick people so to speak as far as my artistic ability goes…maybe you or one of the ladies & gentleman on this numismatics blog might be able to submit such a design to U.S. Mint Debacle Director David J. Ryder! Lol.
NumisdudeTX
Now that would be fancy. It would be freaky if it was Michelle my bell Obama lol
Like Ivanka, she’s a feckless “K”unt I hear from Samantha Bee…Lol.
NumisdudeTX
Just received shipping notification for my 1/10 ounce coin.
The Mint shipped my 1 oz. 2021 Type 2 Gold Eagle today, but oddly they just shipped it first class with USPS tracking (in the past whenever I have ordered a gold coin from US Mint it has always been shipped with some kind of signature confirmation delivery (usually via UPS). I know that most delivery services are waiving getting required signatures still because of COVID anyway (at least my mail carrier and UPS courier still just leave packages at my door). Regardless, I just thought it strange that the Mint would send a coin of such value first class… Read more »
I’ve been curious as to why the Mint hasn’t required a signature for delivery of certain precious metal coins for some time. I was able to buy the 4 coin AGE set and will calling my cc should the USPS fail to deliver it to my address. I am fortunate to have a very reliable postal employee and I will be tracking its progress. It’s still being processed.
Did you use a physical address or PO Box? I always use a PO box and all my orders go to the post office via USPS. I live in a small town and don’t have rual delivery. Put I prefer the post office in case I’m out of town. I got my AGE 1/2oz on 8/4. I’m going to take it to the World Fair of Money to grade it.
Oh, even odder to me: I forgot to mention that my three ASE Type 2 that I ordered on 7/20 are still in processing status. The method of shipping still reads ‘USPS first class or UPS’. Nothing changed. I’m wondering why the US Mint able to ship my gold eagle on the next day after order, but no movement with the ASE’s still?
My order from 7/20 didn’t ship til a couple days ago. I had called them the day before that to confirm that nothing was wrong – in the past, I’ve had orders stuck in ‘processing’ due to a credit card processing issue which they never let me know about. In this case, there was no issue, it was literally still just ‘processing’.
They need to hire a new contractor. I live less than 30 miles from Memphis. When my ASE T2 order was sent to me – they sent on a 230 mile side trip to Nashville. It was then shipped back to Memphis – and 5 days later I receives it via USPS. I should of received it in 2-3 days instead 8 days. I can only sum it up with this old Navy term “BOHICA”, which is short for – Bend Over Here It Comes Again! The Mint and USPS always supply only the best service that $$ can buy… Read more »
Danke fur die Erklarung, Herr Kaiser:) Das wusste Ich nicht. Leider ist meine drei ASE Type 2 Bestellung noch in ‘processing’ Zustand nach beinahe zwei Wochen. Keine Anderung. Wahrscheinlich werde Ich meine Munze nie bekommen…. Ich kann das nicht verstehen, weil meine Bestellung wurde eingetragen 12:04 PM. Benutzt der Absender ‘die altesten Antrage zuerst’ Regel, oder? Meine KreditKarte ist gultig (Der Absender ist meine AGE Type 2 schon Freitag ausgesendet…) Bitte verzeihen Sie mir meine abscheuliche Deutsch (Die Grammatik ist immer fur mich sehr schwierig zu lernen!).
Herr Kaiser, thanks for the kind compliment: I have tried my best to learn German (an intricate, rich and fascinating language) in some of my free time over the past quarter century or so of my life. At this point, I’ve come to realize that I will never have all of the pieces of this ‘jigsaw puzzle’, but I maybe have a decent idea of what the complete picture might look like (to use a rough, imperfect analogy). It’s definitely nice to get the chance to pen a few lines with a fellow speaker/writer of the language from time to… Read more »
Think I’ll just get the bullion one on providentmetals.com for 5% over spot. Won’t be a proof, of course, but will still just be a bullion coin that isn’t shiny, if you know what i mean…
I’ve got a question (and I will raise it again in the inevitable 2-Coin Gold Eagle thread) …. How are they having a 5,000 product limit on the 2-Coin Set?
I can’t see how this can be achieved without falsifying Product Limit numbers
See attached picture.
The 08-15 Mint cumulative sales figures show that there was 12,680 four coin sets sold and 5,570 single gold one ounce coins sold for a grant total of 18,250 one ounce gold coins sold. Per the mintage limits on the Mint website and per this article, there seems to be about 2,400 one ounce gold coins sold over the limit (2,375 to be exact). There was even an “explainer” paragraph in the above article near the bottom of the page that said “For example, the product limit of the four-coin set has been established at 10,250. An additional 5,625 of… Read more »
Why were 12680 sets of 4 gold proof “Type 2” coins sold when the product limit was 10250? (Product 21EFN)