There's something captivating about the sparkle and weight of precious metal coins. They have value for the metal itself, but American silver and gold Eagle coins are also important for their numismatic value. If you've got a silver or gold Eagle in your coin collection, there are a few collectible characteristics to keep an eye out for.
Most Valuable American Gold Eagle Coins
Gold Eagles have been the official American gold bullion coin since 1985, and they come in several denominations, ranging from 1/10 troy ounce to one troy ounce. They have a face value of between five dollars and $50, but this is totally symbolic. They're actually worth their weight in gold.
| American Gold Eagle Coin | Value |
|---|---|
| 1987 Half-Ounce American Gold Eagle | $32,900 |
| 2009 Ultra High Relief One-Ounce American Gold Eagle | $21,737.50 |
| 2020-W One-Ounce American Gold Eagle | $19,800 |
The American gold Eagle can be confusing because prior to 1933, the American $10 gold coin also used to be called an "eagle." To keep things straight, collectors use the full name of "American gold Eagle" for the current gold coin.
1987 Half-Ounce American Gold Eagle
Even though more than 131,000 half-ounce American gold Eagles were minted in 1987, they're really rare to find in high grades. If the strike is perfect and the coin has been preserved in mint state, it can be worth a lot. One sold for $32,900 in 2014.
2009 Ultra High Relief One-Ounce American Gold Eagle
In 2009, some of the one-ounce American gold Eagle were issued as a special proof-like commemorative coin with a presentation box and certificate of authenticity. The highest quality of these coins are worth quite a bit. One mint state example sold for $21,737.50 in 2015.
2020-W One-Ounce American Gold Eagle
To commemorate the end of World War II's 75th anniversary, the mint struck 1,945 special one-ounce American gold eagle coins. The best of these strikes in mint state are really valuable. One sold for $19,800 in 2024.
Related: Collectible Coins — An Overview for Aspiring Collectors
Most Valuable American Silver Eagle Coins
The American silver Eagle has been the official silver bullion coin for the US since 1986, and they really only come in one denomination of one troy ounce. The face value is only one dollar, but the actual value is much higher. Generally, the coin's auction value depends on the current value of silver, which varies a lot. However, certain issues of the American silver Eagle coin are popular with collectors.
| American Silver Eagle Coin | Value |
|---|---|
| 1995-W American Silver Eagle proof | $41,125 |
| 1991 American Silver Eagle | $34,500 |
| 1999 American Silver Eagle | $28,200 |
The design for the front of the American silver Eagle is based on the Walking Liberty half dollar, one of the loveliest coins ever minted. It shows Lady Liberty walking gracefully toward a rising sun.
1995-W American Silver Eagle Proof
Proof coins are special because they have a deeper, crisper strike than ordinary business strike coins. They also tend to have a shiny background. However, even among proof coins, there's variation. One of the qualities collectors sometimes love is a deep cameo, or a major contrast between the background and the relief design. These are rare, and high grade proofs can be really valuable. A 1995-W American silver Eagle proof sold for $41,125 in 2014.
1991 American Silver Eagle
Although most silver Eagle coins aren't circulated as currency, they don't always remain in mint state. Additionally, the quality of the strike varies. For some years, this can add a lot to the value. In the case of the 1991 silver Eagle, a high-grade coin in mint condition sold for $34,500 in 2009.
1999 American Silver Eagle
During the Y2K crisis of 1999, people invested heavily in gold and silver coins. There were a lot of silver Eagles minted that year to support the demand (7.4 million), but many of these saw handling and improper storage. Finding one in mint state is rare, and if you add in a technically perfect strike, you've got a very valuable coin. One example sold for $28,200 in 2013.
Related: 6 Most Valuable Silver Dollars That Could Be Worth Millions
American Gold and Silver Eagle Values Are Constantly Changing
In general, American silver and gold Eagle coins are worth their melt value, or the value of the metal they contain. Due to market fluctuations, these values change all the time. But you can check current precious metal values to get a sense of what your coins may be worth. You can also hang onto the coins if you think the price of gold and silver will go up. It's a different kind of coin collecting but one that can be just as fun.
