American gold coins are highly sought after by collectors, investors and those looking to diversify their portfolios. These coins come in a variety of sizes, styles and denominations, making them an ideal choice for any budget or investment plan.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of these beautiful coins and discuss what makes them so desirable.
American gold coins have been minted since 1795 when the first U.S. Mint opened in Philadelphia. Today there are many different types of American gold coins available, including classic designs like Eagles, Buffaloes and Double Eagles created by renowned artists like Augustus Saint-Gaudens and James Earle Fraser.
Each coin is crafted with exquisite detail and carries intrinsic value that can be passed down from generation to generation.
History Of U.S. Gold Coins
American gold coins have a long and rich history. The first United States coin was made in 1792, and it was called the Half Disme. This small silver coin marked the beginning of American currency production.
It wasn’t until 1838 that U.S. gold coins were minted for the first time; these included $2 1/2, $5, $10 and $20 denominations. These early gold coins featured imagery of Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the other side, which would become a standard feature of all US coin designs over time.
In 1933, President Franklin D Roosevelt issued Executive Order 6102 which prohibited private possession of certain amounts of gold bullion or coins as part of his New Deal policies to help stabilize the economy during the Great Depression era.
In 1965, Congress changed laws so that citizens could again own American gold coins but only those produced by government-approved mints such as the U.S Mint or West Point Mint.
Today, there are many different types of U.S gold coins available from both public and private sources including commemorative pieces with unique designs honoring important people or events in history.
Types Of U.S. Gold Coins
The United States has minted many different gold coins over the years. These include Liberty Head $20 double eagles, Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagles, Indian Head quarter eagles, and buffalo nickels.
The oldest coin is the Liberty Head $20 double eagle, which was first produced in 1849 and continued to be made until 1907. It features a picture of Lady Liberty on one side and an American eagle with outstretched wings on the other.
The Saint-Gaudens $20 double eagle was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 as part of his Gold Coinage Act. Its design featured a standing figure of Lady Liberty holding an olive branch and torch surrounded by stars on one side and an eagle soaring above sunbeams on the other. This coin was struck from 1907 to 1933.
The Indian head quarter eagle was introduced in 1908 and discontinued in 1929. It contains two beautiful images: a profile of an Native American brave wearing a feathered war bonnet on one side and a perched bald eagle on the other.
Lastly, there’s the famous Buffalo nickel which went into circulation in 1913 and continued through 1938. On this nickel are images of an American bison and a Native American chief looking off into the distance.
Value Of U.S. Gold Coins
American gold coins are highly sought after by collectors and investors. This is because they have a certain value that can be determined based on the type of coin, its age and condition, as well as its scarcity.
The value of U.S. gold coins depends mainly on their grade and rarity. Coins with higher grades tend to be worth more money than those with lower grades. For example, a Mint State-65 or MS-65 coin will usually cost much more than an Uncirculated-50 or UNC-50 coin of the same denomination. Additionally, rarer coins such as Carson City issues may command higher prices due to their limited availability.
Lastly, the price of these coins also changes depending on market conditions and fluctuations in the precious metals markets. Bullion values rise when there’s strong demand for physical metal while numismatic values increase when interest increases among collectors who seek out specific dates or varieties of coins.