Brilliantly designed and widely revered, the Gold American Eagle Coin is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful gold coins ever struck, in part thanks to two American sculptors. Learn more about these artists, their designs, and how you can incorporate a symbol of American tradition and unity into your gold portfolio today.
Designing the Gold American Eagle Coin
The Obverse Design – Liberty
The image on the front of the Gold American Eagle Coin was selected in 1986 and designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the early 1900s. Saint-Gaudens lived from 1848–1907 and is well known for being one of the most distinguished American sculptors and monument builders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable works include his iconic copper statue of Diana, several bronze monuments to President Abraham Lincoln, and the General Sherman Monument in New York City.
“Saint-Gaudens was a master of the human form, perfectly representing the physical while bringing life to the personality of his subjects,” writes PBS.org.
Saint-Gaudens brought the same level of skill to his symbolic subjects as he did to the ones that walked alongside him. On the Gold American Eagle Coin, Saint-Gaudens brought Lady Liberty to life. At the center of the coin's design is Lady Liberty's full-length figure, her face framed by windswept hair and stamped with a fearless gaze. Her stance is unwavering, as she raises a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The Capitol building sits in the left background.
Saint-Gaudens' design was originally produced for the $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin, minted between 1907 and 1933, and later resurrected for use on the family of American Eagle Bullion Coins with the passage of the Gold Bullion Act of 1985.
The Reverse Design – Family of Eagles
The image on the back of the Gold American Eagle Coin was created in 1986 by American sculptor Miley Tucker-Frost. She first came up with her design concept in 1980 after watching Ronald Reagan's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, reports Coin News Today. Tucker-Frost remembers Reagan encouraging Americans to be thankful, to act on their feelings, and to pull together and care for one another. As an artist, she took Reagan's call to action to heart by exercising her exceptional skills as a designer and sculptor.
The reverse side of the Gold American Eagle Coin features a family of bald eagles, with a male eagle flying above the nest and holding an olive branch in his talons. A female eagle sits in the nest, her wings protectively encircling two eaglets.
“The spirit behind this design was to honor our family and America,” Tucker-Frost told Coin News Today, at “a time when people need to be encouraged and affirmed—particularly our young people, with so much uncertainty clouding the future.”
Additionally, Coin News Today points out that Tucker-Frost never realized “one cent's worth of profit” from any coin sales.
“I get such satisfaction from knowing that my Family of Eagles is making people aware of their own family values as Americans, and that the coins have become an ongoing part of our culture,” she said.
Gold American Eagle Coins stand as a symbol of tradition and unity. Safeguard your wealth and protect American values with one of the U.S. Mint's most popular gold bullion coins. With these coins, you can pass down a precious metals portfolio that stands as strong as this great nation. Shop gold coins now or call 1-844-307-1589 to secure your purchase over the phone.
A Timeless Gold Coin, A Timeless Tribute
Gold American Eagle Bullion Coins are guaranteed by the U.S. Mint for their weight, gold content, and purity, making them a popular choice for discerning gold owners. Note that while you cannot buy American Eagle Bullion Coins directly from the U.S. Mint, you can purchase them from U.S. Money Reserve, both online or over the phone. Call 1-844-307-1589 now to buy Gold American Eagle Coins, available in 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., and 1/10 oz. weights. Secure yours before inventory runs low on the U.S. Mint's most popular gold bullion coin!
