The American Gold Eagle program was authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and debuted in 1986. Since then, it has become one of the most trusted and widely traded gold bullion coins in the world because the U.S. government guarantees its weight, gold content, and purity, while its market value typically follows the spot price of gold.
The 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) edition is struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, meaning it retains original mint luster and sharp strike detail with only minimal handling marks typical of bullion coins intended for investment rather than proof-quality collecting.
🪙 Design & Specifications
Gold Content & Purity:
• 1 troy ounce of actual gold content in .9167 fine (22-karat) gold
• Alloyed with copper and silver for added strength and wear resistance
Finish:
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) — original mint luster with crisp 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 1986–2020)
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 (contains 1 troy ounce of gold)
Mint Mark:
• Bullion issues generally do not display a mint mark on the coin’s face
