1999 American Gold Eagle Coins
The 1999 American Gold Eagle Coins saw improvement across the board in all of the mintages for both the proof and bullion versions of the coin.
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| Mintage: 1,505,026 One Ounce Bullion, 31,427 One Ounce Proof eBay Listings Authorizing Coin Law U.S. Mint Online Site |
Gold continued to slide during the first two-thirds of the year with the bottom coming in July at $252.80 an ounce. The remaining months showed some improvement and the year ended up averaging $278.98 an ounce.
To celebrate the release of the last Gold Eagle of the 1900′s, the US Mint commissioned artist Oren Sherman to illustrate a special Art Nouveau-style poster of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty which is featured on the Eagles. The Mint gave the poster away free to Proof Gold Eagle orders over $150 during the first month and a half of their availability.
1999 Gold Eagle Mintage
Bullion Gold Eagle Mintage
Bullion Gold Eagle Mintage reached unprecedented levels for the largest and smallest sizes of the strike. Interest in the two medium sizes (1/2 ounce and 1/4 ounce) was also at elevated levels, but did not surpass the mark set by the inaugural year release of 1986.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 1999-dated Bullion Gold Eagles:
One Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 1,505,026 1/2 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 263,013 1/4 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 564,232 1/2 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 2,750,338
Proof Gold Eagle Mintage
Interest in the Proof Gold Eagles also showed improvement with the one ounce coin and the 1/10 ounce coin making the largest gains.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 1999-dated Proof Gold Eagles which includes the number sold as part of the Gold Eagle 4-Coin Set (of which 23,471 were sold).
One Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 31,427 1/2 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 30,427 1/4 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 34,417 1/10 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 48,428
Issue Information
The 1999 Gold Eagles marked the fourteenth year for the coins which debuted in 1986.
Release Date
The Mint’s network of authorized purchasers sold the Bullion Gold Eagles for most of the year. The Proof Gold Eagles were released for sale on April 30, 1999.
Issue Price
The US Mint did not change the price it was charging for the Proof Gold Eagles keeping it at $570 for the One Ounce Eagle, $285 for the 1/2 Ounce Eagle, $150 for the 1/4 Ounce Eagle and $70 for the 1/10 Ounce Eagle. The 4-Coin Set was $999. Bullion Gold Eagles were available from the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above the spot price of the gold in them.
U.S. Mint Production Facility
The US Mint’s facility in West Point was responsible for striking all of the Proof Gold Eagles. Consequently, a ‘W’ mintmark is present on each coin.
Designer & Sculptor
Augustus Saint-Gaudens designed the image of Lady Liberty featured on the obverse (heads side) of the Gold Eagle. It was originally designed for the 1907-1933 Double Eagle Coin. Miley Busiek designed the family of eagles image that is found on the reverse (tails side) of the coin.
Coin Specifications
(For One Ounce Gold Eagles)
| Face Value: | $50 |
| Finish: | Bullion, Proof |
| Composition: | 91.67% Gold, 3% Silver, 5.33% Copper |
| Standard Weight: | 33.930 g |
| Standard Diameter: | 32.70 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |