Overview
The 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle is an official U.S. bullion coin produced by the United States Mint. First introduced in 1986, it combines classic American coin artistry with durable 22-karat gold alloy.
Each coin contains 1/4 troy ounce of pure gold, but unlike most modern bullion coins it is struck in 22-karat (.9167 fine) gold, blended with small amounts of silver and copper for added strength and scratch resistance.
Coin Highlights
• Contains 1/4 troy oz of pure gold
• Struck in 22k gold (.9167 fine)
• Official bullion coin of the United States
• Backed by the U.S. government for weight and purity
• Durable alloy improves resistance to wear
Design
The obverse features the iconic Lady Liberty design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally created for the legendary Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin of 1907.
The reverse design depends on the minting year:
• 1986–2021: Family of eagles design by Miley Busiek
• 2021–Present: Eagle portrait design by Jennie Norris
Both reverses reflect strong American symbolism and heritage.
