The United States Mint

Created by Congress in 1792, the U.S. Mint produces all legal tender U.S. Government Issued Gold, Silver and Platinum Coins. Today, the Mint operates production facilities in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco and West Point, with nearly all modern U.S. Government Issued Gold Coins produced at West Point, New York. That facility is located on the campus of the West Point Military Academy, making it the most secure Mint in the country.

Coin Grading

A graded, or certified, gold, silver or platinum coin is one that has undergone careful scrutiny by an independent coin grading service in order to determine the coin’s overall condition. Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70, with a grade of 70 reserved for coins determined to be flawless.

Nearly all modern certified gold, silver and platinum coins sold by the U.S. Money Reserve are graded a perfect 70, or nearly perfect 69. Grading can be important to the future value of a gold, silver or platinum coin, because grade determines the population of a given type of coin, and therefore, its potential rarity. Grading also serves to physically protect a coin because, once a grade has been issued, a grading service sonically seals the coin inside an impact-resistant case.

Mintage and Population

The mintage of a U.S. Government Issued Gold, Silver or Platinum Coin refers to how many of a specific coin were originally produced by the U.S. Mint. Population refers to the number of a particular coin that has received a certain grade by a coin grading service such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service). Population is particularly important to the potential value of a U.S. Government Issued Coin, because it can most determine how rare that coin is and may become. 

For example, while a gold proof coin of a certain year may have a total mintage of 100,000 coins produced, the number of coins that grade a perfect PCGS PR-70 may only be several hundred. That would mean that, of the 100,000 coins originally produced, there were fewer than 1,000 70-graded coins in existence.

Coin Type

Bullion (non-certified)

Unlike rare and collectible coins that have been examined and graded by a professional grading service, a bullion or non-certified coin’s value is tied almost entirely to its weight in gold and the current market price. American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins are produced in four U.S. legal tender denominations: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce.

Proof (PR)

Proof (PR) Gold Coins undergo a special minting process that produces a coin with a beautiful, mirror-like finish. In the case of American Eagles, the Proof versions of the coins are produced in substantially smaller numbers than the Mint State (MS) versions.

Mint State (MS)

Mint State Gold Coins, also referred to as “business strikes,” are usually produced in much higher numbers than Proof Coins, and are intended to offer individuals a convenient way to own physical Gold. In the case of U.S. Congressional coins, it’s important to note that  the Mint State versions of the coins are typically produced in smaller numbers, which can make them the more sought-after and, ultimately, valuable coins.