American Gold Eagle: specifications, value and where to buy

The Gold Eagle is the coin most Americans picture when they think of buying gold. It carries a $50 face value, a design borrowed from the 1907 double eagle, and something no other 22-carat coin has: a named exemption in the US tax code that lets it sit inside an IRA. This guide sets out the official specifications, the live gold value, what two big dealers charged, and how the coin is taxed in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

What are the American Gold Eagle's specifications?

Source: US Mint. All sizes: 91.67% gold (22 carat), 3% silver, balance copper; reeded edge. The Mint's specification page does not list a thickness.

"22 carat" means 22 parts gold out of 24. The US Mint adds silver and copper so the coin resists scratches and dents, then makes it heavier so it still holds a full ounce of pure gold. So a 1 oz Eagle contains exactly as much gold as a 24-carat 1 oz coin; it is simply a little larger and weighs about 2.8 g more. The obverse is Augustus Saint-Gaudens' striding Liberty, first used on the $20 gold piece in 1907. The reverse showed Miley Tucker-Frost's family of eagles from 1986 until 2021, when Jennie Norris's eagle head portrait replaced it.

How much is a gold Eagle worth today?

A coin's melt value is the value of the gold inside it at the spot price (the live wholesale price for one troy ounce). The table updates automatically.

Spot-based melt values, not dealer buy or sell prices. Last updated: Loading. Use the coin melt value calculator for a mixed collection.

What premiums did we find at dealers?

The premium is the amount you pay above melt value. It covers minting, distribution and the dealer's margin. Our automated GoldVetted price check on 10 October 2026 read the single-coin price on each dealer's product page, with spot at $4,195.60 (gold-api.com). The same prices were confirmed by a second automated run early on 11 October, as the market was closed for the weekend.

JM Bullion's site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it. Monthly figures are on the premium tracker.

Two lessons come out of these numbers. Paying by card added about 4.2% at both dealers, more than the whole wire premium at SD Bullion. And smaller sizes cost more per ounce: on 11 October the same two dealers charged 10.3% to 13.6% over gold value for a 1/4 oz Eagle and 17.3% to 21.5% for a 1/10 oz Eagle, while the 1/2 oz Eagle ranged from 2.6% to 9.3%. Our explainer on gold coins vs gold bars shows how this compares with bars.

How are Gold Eagles taxed in the US, UK, Canada and Australia?

The Eagle's 22-carat alloy works against it outside the US. Canada and Australia only remove sales tax from gold of at least 99.5% purity, so a 24-carat Maple Leaf or Kangaroo is usually cheaper there. Our page on why 22ct coins are taxed in Canada has the detail. UK buyers avoid VAT, but gains above the annual allowance are taxable, unlike gains on a Britannia or Sovereign.

Is the American Gold Eagle IRA eligible?

Yes, and by name. Section 408(m) of the Internal Revenue Code treats coins bought by an IRA as collectibles, which counts as a taxable distribution. Subsection (m)(3)(A) carves out the gold coins described in 31 USC 5112(a)(7) to (10), which are the four American Eagle gold coins. Other coins usually need to pass the separate fineness test for bullion, which a 91.67% coin would fail. The coins must be held by the IRA trustee or custodian, not at home. Our gold IRA guide explains how this works.

Where can you buy American Gold Eagles?

The US Mint does not sell bullion Eagles to the public. It sells them to a small group of authorised purchasers, which supply wholesalers and dealers, so you buy from a dealer. The Mint itself sells proof and uncirculated collector versions; our guide to buying from the US Mint explains the difference. Large online dealers such as SD Bullion, APMEX, JM Bullion and Money Metals Exchange stock random-year coins in all four sizes. UK dealers including Chards also sell Eagles, though UK buyers often prefer CGT-free coins.

Compare Gold Eagle prices at SD Bullion

How do you spot a fake Gold Eagle?

• Weigh it. A 1 oz Eagle should weigh 33.931 g. A fake made from gold-plated tungsten can hit the weight but rarely the exact size as well.
• Measure it. 32.70 mm across for the 1 oz. Use digital callipers.
• Do not expect it to look like 24-carat gold. Genuine Eagles have a slightly deeper, more orange tone than pure gold coins, because of the copper. A bright lemon yellow is a warning sign.
• Check the detail and edge. Compare Liberty's face, the Capitol building and the reeding with US Mint images. Soft lettering or uneven reeding suggests a cast copy.
• Buy from a known dealer. Most fakes reach buyers through online marketplaces and private sales.

For home tests, read how to tell if gold is real.

Which years, designs and versions exist?

For a bullion buyer, the year rarely matters: "random year" listings mean the dealer chooses. Collector versions cost much more and usually sell back for less of that extra, so read bullion vs numismatic coins before paying for a proof.

Pros and cons of the American Gold Eagle

If you are still choosing, our best gold coins for beginners compares the Eagle with its main rivals, and all gold coin guides lists every coin we cover, including the 24-carat American Buffalo.

Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.