1/4 oz Gold Eagle: specifications, value and where to buy

The quarter-ounce Eagle sits in the middle of the range. It is small enough to sell in modest amounts, but holds two and a half times the gold of a tenth-ounce coin, so its premium per ounce is noticeably lower. Here is what you get, what it is worth today and what it cost at two large US dealers this morning.

What are the 1/4 oz Gold Eagle's specifications?

Source: US Mint. Grams of fine gold are our conversion. The US Mint pages we checked do not give a thickness.

At 22 mm, the quarter-ounce Eagle is the same diameter as many other quarter-ounce bullion coins, but it is heavier than a 24-karat quarter-ounce because of the added silver and copper. That difference is normal, and worth knowing if you ever compare coins on a scale.

What is a 1/4 oz Gold Eagle worth today?

Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Try the coin melt value calculator for other amounts.

What did dealers charge for a 1/4 oz Gold Eagle today?

We captured single-coin prices with an automated check on each dealer's product page on October 11, 2026. Spot was $4,195.60 an ounce (gold-api.com), so the gold in one coin was worth $1,048.90.

Lowest quantity tier (1 to 19 coins at both dealers). Larger orders were cheaper: SD Bullion listed $1,145.97 for 40+ and APMEX $1,176.32 for 120+ by wire. JM Bullion does not allow automated price checks, so it is not included.

How does the 1/4 oz compare with other Eagle sizes?

The clearest way to see the cost of small coins is to price the same ounce of gold in different sizes. The table shows what one troy ounce of gold would have cost if bought as single coins of each size, on the same morning.

Our arithmetic from single-coin, lowest-tier wire prices captured 11:15 to 11:20 UTC. Buying several coins at once may move you into a cheaper tier.

Why the extra cost appears:

• Minting and packaging cost per coin, not per ounce. Four quarter-ounce coins need four strikes, four inspections and four capsules or tube slots, to deliver the gold of one 1 oz coin.
• Distribution adds a cost per piece. Bullion Eagles pass from the US Mint to authorized purchasers and then to dealers, and handling is charged per coin.
• Dealers set prices by demand and stock. That is why the ladder is not perfectly smooth: at SD Bullion the 1/2 oz coin was slightly cheaper per ounce than the 1 oz on this day, while APMEX's prices rose steadily as size fell.

The quarter-ounce is a middle path: you pay about 7 percentage points more over spot than for a 1 oz coin at SD Bullion, but you can sell a quarter of your holding at a time. For a broader look at how premiums work, read gold premiums explained, and our gold coins vs gold bars guide shows how bars compare.

How is the 1/4 oz Gold Eagle taxed?

For US readers, the state rules matter most at purchase; see our US gold tax guide. Canadian readers should read why 22ct coins are taxed in Canada before buying Eagles rather than 99.99% Maple Leafs.

Is it IRA eligible?

Yes. Coins are normally collectibles that an IRA cannot hold, but section 408(m)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code makes an exception for the American Eagle gold coins, whatever their purity. The coins must be in the physical possession of the IRA trustee. Our gold IRA guide covers custodians and fees.

What years and designs exist?

Quarter-ounce Eagles have been struck since 1986. From 1986 to 2021 the reverse showed a family of eagles at a nest, designed by Miley Tucker-Frost; since 2021 it shows Jennie Norris's portrait of an eagle's head. Bullion buyers usually pay one "random year" price for either type. Proofs, sold by the US Mint with a W mint mark, are collector items with much higher premiums. Read bullion vs numismatic coins before paying extra for a particular date or grade.

How can you tell if a 1/4 oz Gold Eagle is fake?

• Weight: 8.483 g. A fake made from a lighter metal will be underweight; a tungsten fake may match weight but not size.
• Diameter: 22.00 mm, measured with calipers.
• Color and sound: 22-karat gold has a warm tone; genuine coins ring when gently tapped, while many fakes sound dull.
• Detail: compare the lettering, Liberty's features and the reeded edge with US Mint images.

Our guide to how to tell if gold is real explains each test.

Where can you buy 1/4 oz Gold Eagles?

The US Mint does not sell bullion coins directly to the public; it supplies authorized purchasers, which supply dealers. Our guide to buying from the US Mint covers the proof and uncirculated coins it does sell. Among the dealers we checked, SD Bullion had the lower single-coin price today. Check or wire saved about 4% at both. If you are new to gold, our list of best gold coins for beginners puts the Eagle in context, and all gold coin guides lists alternatives such as the 1/10 oz and 1/2 oz Eagles.

Check 1/4 oz Eagles at SD Bullion

Pros and cons

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.