Best Explanation From Coin dealers in Oceanside

WHAT AND WHEN IS AN EAGLE AN EAGLE?

THERE ARE 2 CLASSES OF EAGLES—CIRCULATED AND NON-

CIRCULATED (BULLION).

The typical gold coins we see that were circulated were minted

From 1877 TO 1933—WHEN THE U.S. WENT OFF THE GOLD STANDARD (STOPPED MINTING GOLD COINS FOR CIRCULATION). 

The “LIBERTY TYPE” WAS MINTED IN $20 (DBL EAGLE),  $10 (EAGLE), $5 (HALF EAGLE) AND $2.50 (QUARTER EAGLE.) The “LIBERTY TYPE” Features the bust of Lady Liberty  facing to the right and an Eagle on The reverse side. These were minted from 1877 to 1907.

The “ST. GAUDENS” (NAMED FOR THE DESIGNER) TYPE FEATURES ($20) double eagle features Lady Liberty walking toward the

The front.  These were minted from 1907-1933.

From 1907 to 1933  there was an $10 (EAGLE) with an INDIAN HEAD, A $5 (half eagle) and a quarter eagle (2.50) with Indian head (1908-

1929)

There was also a $1 gold coin –Liberty Head (1841-1854—Indian

Princess (1854-1856) and Indian Head (1856-1889).

The above coins were all 21.6K gold (90%).  They gold content

does not fall on the now standard 1 Troy ounce, 1/2, 1/4, etc.

For example, a Double eagle Has 30.0933 grams of pure gold 

(.9675 Troy ounce.   A new “bullion” Eagle has exactly 31.1033 

grams of gold—an exact troy ounce.

All of the above have collectible (Numismatic) value or Premium

above the spot price.

BULLION EAGLE

These are gold coins that have exactly 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, 1/10 oz 

and 1/20 oz of pure gold.  They are 91.6% gold (22k) but each coin 

weighs more than its stated gold content to account for the alloy in it.

     EX: A 1oz eagle actually weighs a total of 33.933 grams.

These coins are minted as BULLION—They are not put into circulation. The 1oz "Eagle" has "50 dollars on the coin, but it is typically priced at Gold Spot + a premium from $40-$60. The “eagle” features “Walking Liberty” on the front and an Eagle landing in a nest that already has another eagle in it.

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