2011 American Gold Eagles
American Gold Eagle - Click to Enlarge
2011 American Eagle Gold Coins mark the twenty-sixth year in which Gold Eagles have been available from the United States Mint since their introduction in 1986.
The 22 karat coins have been struck in bullion, proof and uncirculated varieties throughout their history. However, only the bullion Gold Eagles are required by law, a fact that can play a factor in the minting of the collector grade coins.
A perfect example of this occurred in the year 2009. That year saw the Mint receiving a record number of orders for the bullion Gold Eagles. Unable to obtain enough gold blank planchets to meet demand for the bullion strikes (which it is required by law to do), the Mint was forced to cancel the proof and uncirculated Eagles in order to divert all available blank planchets to bullion production. The proof Gold Eagles did make a return in 2010, but the US Mint did not strike the uncirculated that year either.
Four different sizes of these Eagles are typically minted, one ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce with face values of $50, $25, $10 and $5, respectively. Owing to the conditions described above, the fractional sizes have also been cancelled intermittently exemplified by the years of 2009 and 2010 when only the one ounce size was struck for the bullion Eagle.
Collector grade Eagles, when available, can be purchased directly from the US Mint. The bullion Eagles, however, are sold by the Mint's network of authorized purchasers to the public. This network obtains the coins in bulk from the Mint, then resells them for a small premium above the current spot price of the gold contained within them.
The bullion Eagles are the only gold bullion coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States government. As such, investors may purchase them and add them to their individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
2011 American Gold Eagle Design
A full-length image of the mythical figure of Liberty is shown on the obverse of the coins in a flowing gown with a torch leading her way in one hand and an olive branch showing her quest for peace in the other. Behind Liberty are rays of sunshine and the US Capitol building. The design is the work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and was first featured on the 1907-1933 $20 Gold Piece and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful images ever to grace a coin of the United States.
Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek designed the reverse of the coin which shows the nest of a family of eagles with one adult soaring above.
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US $97.99
2011 American Gold Eagle Specifications
Mintmark: W for Uncirculated and Proof, None for bullion
Composition: 91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper
Weight: 33.930 grams or 1.0909 troy ounces
Diameter: 32.7 mm or 1.287 inches
Date of Issue: 2011
Mintages: Based on Demand
Obverse Designer/Sculptor: Augustus St. Gaudens
Reverse Designer/Sculptor: Mrs. Miley Frances Busiek
