How to Buy American Eagle Gold Coins

American Eagle Gold Coins are among the most popular and trusted gold bullion coins in the world, backed by the U.S. government for weight and purity. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, purchasing these coins offers a reliable way to own physical gold. They are available in various sizes, making them accessible to a wide range of budgets.

In this guide, you'll learn how to buy American Eagle Gold Coins safely and smartly, along with the coin's history and importance.

What Are American Gold Eagle Coins?

American Gold Eagle Coins contain one ounce (oz.) of 22 karat gold. They also include small quantities of other metals like copper to ensure durability. Unlike other gold coins, American Eagle Gold Coins are made from gold minted only in the United States. For that reason, the U.S government guarantees each coin’s gold content, weight, and purity.

Since they’re guaranteed by the U.S government, these coins can be traded in the vast majority of the world, making them one of the most commonly traded gold bullion coins.

Brief History of American Gold Eagle Coins

The original American Gold Eagle coin was created back in 1792. It originally traded for $10 and was available in Quarter Eagle ($2.50), Half Eagle ($5), and Double Eagle ($20) amounts.

Like the current American Eagle Gold coin, the original versions were made with 22-karat gold with small traces of copper and silver. This coin was discontinued in 1933 to prevent banks from going bankrupt during the Great Depression.

In 1985, President Reagan passed the Gold Bullion Coin Act into law, letting the public buy and sell these coins.

These coins have been popular ever since because they’re guaranteed by the U.S government and allow the everyday investor to gain exposure to gold at a reasonable cost.

How to Buy American Gold Eagle Coins

It’s never been easier to invest in American Gold Eagle Coins. Investors from all backgrounds can start investing in the coin in just 3 simple steps!

Step 1: Open an Online Account

Benzinga partners with a few precious metals brokers who offer new investors special perks when opening a new account. Most importantly, these companies have been personally vetted by Benzinga’s team of analysts.

Step 2: Choose the Gold Coins You Want to Buy

Some common types of gold coins include:

• American Eagle Gold Coins: 1 oz. 22 karat gold coins, guaranteed by the U.S. government. Available in  ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10 ounce varieties.
• Canadian Gold Red-Tailed Hawk Coins: 1 oz. coin made of pure 24k gold that features the late Queen Elizabeth II on the front.
• American Buffalo Coins: This .9999 American Buffalo gold coin contains a full troy ounce of gold. However, it weighs slightly more due to traces of other metals in the coin. These coins are available in ½ ounce, ¼ ounce, and 1/10 ounce selections.

Step 3: Make Your Purchase

Each company has its own purchase process. Generally, you must fund an account with them and call their help desk to speak with one of their brokers to complete your order. Most importantly, insure your gold coins while they’re in transit to your address.

How to Buy American Gold Eagle Coins With an IRA

You can buy precious metals with a self-directed IRA that gives you several tax advantages. With a self-directed Gold IRA, you can earn a tax deduction up to $5,500 per year if you’re under 50, and $6,500 per year if you’re older than 50.

You can also defer taxation on any gold price gains, and it’s also possible to choose a Roth option, which lets you invest after-tax funds for tax-free growth!

How to Trade or Sell Your American Gold Eagle Coins

You can call the trade desk at the partners listed above to sell or trade your American Gold Eagle coins for other products. Keep in mind that these sales of physical gold could result in taxable gains. Gains would be tax-deferred if sold within a Gold IRA.

It’s best to see gold as a long-term investment. For example, a ton of gold could buy a Ford Model T car in the early 20th century. Presently, a ton of gold can still buy a comparable car.

One of the best times to sell gold is when the gold-to-silver ratio is high. This ratio shows the spot price of gold over the spot price of silver. A high ratio means that gold is overvalued, making it an ideal time to sell.

Are American Gold Eagle Coins a Good Investment?

In these current economic times, American Gold Eagle coins could be a great initial step to allocate some of your wealth to gold. They’re backed by the U.S. government, which makes them an even safer investment than other types of precious metals. 

Since each coin is only an ounce of gold, you don’t need to invest tens of thousands of dollars to buy them. Our partners listed below also provide free, comprehensive guides on how to buy gold coins.

Frequently Asked Questions