1/2 oz American Gold Eagles

1/2 oz American Gold Eagles from BGASC

Historically, the American Gold Eagle has been offered each year with four weights. In addition to the 1 oz gold coin in the series, the US Mint strikes the American Gold Eagle in three fractional-ounce weights as well. The largest of these fractional-ounce coins is the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle. Offered annually in the BU Series, the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle also holds the distinction as the first fractional-ounce Proof Gold Eagle. 

Production History

As mentioned above, the 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin has been available since 1986. However, its production history differs based on the version of the coin you are looking, at historically. While the 1986 debut of the BU American Gold Eagle Coin featured all four weights mentioned above, the Proof American Gold Eagle was only available that year in 1 oz gold. Between 1987 and 1988, the US Mint would add the three fractional-ounce coins to this series. The first of those was the 1/2 oz Proof American Gold Eagle in 1987.

With the passage of time, the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle has missed two subsequent dates marks after the 1986 debut. In 2009, none of the four weights were offered in the Proof American Gold Eagle Series. Similarly, the 2009 and 2010 dates were not offered in the Burnished American Gold Eagle Series. In fact, since the return of Burnished American Gold Eagles in 2011, fractional-ounce coins are no longer available.

Mintage Records

Similar to the 1 oz Gold Eagle, the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle’s highest mintages have come in the BU Gold Eagle Series. The 1/2 oz Gold Eagle is one of two weights to have never surpassed 1 million coins in a given year. The mintage records for the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle include the following dates:

• 1986 – 599,566 coins
• 1999 – 263,013 coins
• 1998 – 169,029 coins
• 1987 – 131,255 coins
• 2009 – 110,000 coins

Mintage records for the 1/2 oz Proof Gold Eagle and the 1/2 oz Burnished Gold Eagle are significantly lower than the BU Gold Eagle. Notably, however, the 1987 issue of the 1/2 oz Proof Gold Eagle is actually one of the highest in the Proof Gold Eagle Series due to the fact there were only two options for numismatists that year (1/2 oz and 1 oz). Mintage records for the 1/2 oz Proof Gold Eagle include the following dates:

• 1987 – 143,398 coins
• 1988 – 76,528 coins
• 1991 – 53,125 coins
• 1990 – 51,636 coins
• 1995 – 45,388 coins

With only three dates available for the 1/2 oz Burnished American Gold Eagle Coin, the records for demand are quite low. The 2008 release had the highest mintage at 16,682 coins, followed the 2006 coin at 15,164 coins, and the 2007 coin at 11,455 coins.

Certified 1/2 oz American Gold Eagles

For those seeking overall brilliance, quality design strikes, and a lack of normal flaws from the coining process, Certified American Gold Eagles are the best option. These coins are graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation based on the quality of the design strike, the visual brilliance of the coin, and the lack of common production flaws.

Get 1/2 oz American Gold Eagles at BGASC

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact BGASC customer service. Our team is available to you at 888-992-4272, online through our web chat, and via our email address.