The American Gold Eagle was authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and first introduced in 1986. By 1987, the series had already established itself as one of the most trusted and widely traded gold bullion coins worldwide. The U.S. government guarantees each coin’s weight, gold content, and purity, while its market value typically tracks the spot price of gold.
The 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) edition is struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, meaning it retains original mint luster and strong strike detail, with only minimal handling marks typical of bullion coins intended primarily for investment.
🪙 Design & Specifications
Gold Content & Purity:
• 1 troy ounce of actual gold content
• .9167 fine (22-karat) gold, alloyed with copper and silver for strength
Finish:
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) — original mint luster and crisp detail
Obverse Design:
• Depicts Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch — adapted from Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ renowned 1907 Gold Double Eagle design
Reverse Design (Type 1):
• Features the classic “family of bald eagles” motif — a male eagle flying with an olive branch above a nest with a female eagle and eaglet (used on bullion issues from 1986–2020)
Legal Tender:
• $50 U.S. face value, backed by the United States government
Dimensions:
• Diameter: ~32.7 mm
• Thickness: ~2.87 mm
• Gross Weight: ~33.93 g
Mint Mark:
• Bullion issues typically do not display a mint mark
📈 Collector & Investment Appeal
Early Series Issue:
As one of the first few years of the program (second year of issue), the 1987 coin holds added interest for collectors seeking early-date Gold Eagles.
Government Guarantee:
Weight, purity, and gold content are guaranteed by the U.S. government.
Global Recognition:
The American Gold Eagle is among the most recognized and liquid gold bullion coins worldwide.
Durable 22-Karat Alloy:
The copper-silver blend enhances durability compared with .9999 fine gold coins.
📌 Summary
The 1987 1 oz American Gold Eagle (BU, MCMLXXXVII) is an early-series U.S. gold bullion coin combining 1 troy ounce of gold, historic American artistry, and strong global liquidity — making it attractive for both bullion investors and collectors seeking foundational-year issues.
If you'd like, I can also provide a rarity comparison between 1986–1990 issues to see which early dates are
