The History of the American Eagle Coin
July 30, 2008
The existence of the American Eagle Coin can actually be traced all the way back to the great California Gold Rush of 1848 and the discovery of gold at the still famous Sutter's Mill.
A large majority of the gold from Sutter's Mill ultimately found its way to the United States Mint in Philadelphia, where it was issued into larger denominations instead of the traditional $10 gold pieces. Congress authorized the issue of the $20 gold coins in February of 1849, which were designed by an extremely creative James Barton Longacre.
The first of two trial patterns was struck on March 12, 1850, but it still carries the date of 1849. Originally there were two patterns designed, but the second pattern has never been found. They have been given the nickname of "double eagles" due to the fact that $10 coin is called an "eagle" and were issued between the years of 1850 and 1907.
President Theodore Roosevelt together with sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens joined efforts to redesign the $10 and $20 "eagles" by bringing some ancient Greek beauty to the coins. On December 22, 1907 the work on the new $20 "double eagle" began featuring an advanced figure of "Lady Liberty" on the obverse and a flying bald eagle on the reverse. The new design required a much longer striking process so that there were few of released in December of 1907. Soon new dies were created to increase the circulation of these amazing coins from 1907 to 1933.
American Eagle Bullion Gold Coins - How to Buy and Invest
July 28, 2008
American Eagle Bullion Gold coins are an excellent way to begin and diversify any investment portfolio. Before you buy any kind of investment, however, it is important to know about what you are buying.
First, the bullion coin is a 22 karat gold coin, made by the U.S. Mint, and is fully backed by the US Government. Originally introduced in 1986, the coins have become and excellent way to get into the gold market.
The reason that gold currently is a good choice for investing is the rapid increase in value, thus partly due to the decline in value of the US Dollar, and the overall scarcity of the metal.
All American Eagle gold coins, including the bullion, are made with gold that is from the United States only.
In general, all Gold Bullion coins can be quickly sold for cash at coin and precious metal dealers throughout the world. Technically, these coins are legal tender in the United States; the 1 oz. gold bullion coin, for example, has a face value of $50 yet, given the fact the coin is worth almost twenty times that amount based upon the market price of its gold composition, this is basically a symbolic gesture.
