The American Gold Eagle program was authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and first issued in 1986. Since its launch, it has become one of the most trusted and widely traded gold bullion coins in the world. The U.S. government guarantees the coin’s weight, gold content, and purity, while its market value typically follows the spot price of gold.
The 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) edition is struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, meaning it retains its original mint luster and crisp detail from strike, with only minimal surface handling marks typical of bullion coins designed primarily for investment.
🪙 Design & Specifications
Gold Content & Purity:
• 1 troy ounce of actual gold content in .9167 fine (22-karat) gold
• Alloyed with copper and silver for enhanced strength and wear resistance
Finish:
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) — original mint luster with sharp strike detail
Obverse Design:
• Depicts Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch — adapted from Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ 1907 Gold Double Eagle design
Reverse Design (Type 1):
• Features the classic “family of bald eagles” motif — a male eagle carrying an olive branch in flight above a nest with a female eagle and eaglet (used on bullion issues from 1986–
