The 2017 1 oz American Gold Eagle (BU) is a Brilliant Uncirculated bullion coin struck by the United States Mint. It contains 1 troy ounce of actual gold content in .9167 fine (22 karat) gold — alloyed with silver and copper for durability — and carries a $50 U.S. legal-tender face value. This bullion coin features iconic U.S. design elements and represents a classic issue in the American Gold Eagle series.
📜 Full Description
📌 Overview
The American Gold Eagle has been the official U.S. gold bullion coin since its debut in 1986, authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and struck annually by the United States Mint. It’s one of the most recognizable and widely traded gold bullion coins globally because of its government guarantee of weight, content, and purity while typically trading close to the current gold price.
The 2017 edition continues the traditional Type 1 design — with the classic eagle imagery on the reverse — and is struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition, meaning it has original mint luster and minimal surface handling marks, which is typical for bullion issues intended for investment rather than collector proof finish.
🪙 Design & Specifications
Gold Content & Purity:
• 1 troy ounce of gold content in .9167 fine (22 karat) gold (the rest copper and silver for durability in circulation handling).
Finish:
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) — striking with original mint luster and crisp detail as a bullion strike.
Obverse Design:
• Features Lady Liberty holding a torch and olive branch — adapted from Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ classic 1907 Gold Double Eagle design — symbolizing liberty and enlightenment.
Reverse Design:
• Shows the classic “family of eagles” design by Miley Busiek — a male eagle in flight carrying an olive branch above a nest containing a female eagle (and eaglets). This design was standard through 2020 before the reverse was updated in 2021.
Legal Tender:
• $50 U.S. face value, backed by the United States government (actual value is driven by gold content).
Dimensions:
• Diameter: ~32.7 mm
• Thickness: ~2.87 mm
• Gross weight: ~33.93 g (contains 1 troy oz gold).
Mint Mark:
• Bullion Gold Eagles typically do not display a mint mark on the coin surface; they are produced by the U.S. Mint (commonly at West Point).
📈 Collector & Investment Appeal
Bullion Investment:
The American Gold Eagle is among the most liquid and widely accepted gold bullion coins worldwide, making it easy to trade or sell.
Government Guarantee:
The U.S. government guarantees the coin’s weight, gold content, and purity, which provides extra security for investors.
Iconic Design:
Lady Liberty and the bald eagle motifs have enduring appeal and connect modern bullion issues with classic American iconography.
BU Advantage:
Brilliant Uncirculated bullion coins generally trade closer to spot gold prices compared with proof or collectible variants, making them cost-effective for physical gold stacking
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