2003 American Gold Eagle Coins
The 2003 American Gold Eagle Coins continued the trend established the previous year of rising mintage numbers.
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| Mintage: 416,032 One Ounce Bullion, 28,344 One Ounce Proof eBay Listings Authorizing Coin Law U.S. Mint Online Site |
This increase can probably be directly tied to the improvement seen in the gold market. After having been at relatively low levels for several years, gold started to climb in 2002. It continued that increase in 2003.
For the year, an ounce of the precious metal averaged $363.38. This was an improvement over the previous year of $53.65, or 17%.
2003 Gold Eagle Mintage
Bullion Gold Eagle Mintage
Owing to an improving gold market, the Bullion Eagle mintage showed a nice improvement with the One Ounce Bullion Eagles leading the way.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 2003-dated Bullion Gold Eagles:
One Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 416,032 1/2 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 79,029 1/4 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 74,029 1/2 Ounce Bullion Gold Eagle 245,029
Proof Gold Eagle Mintage
Proof Eagle mintage also marked some gains, although their numbers were not quite as impressive.
The chart below shows the total mintage of 2003-dated Proof Gold Eagles which includes the number sold as part of the Gold Eagle 4-Coin Set (of which 20,512 were sold).
One Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 28,344 1/2 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 28,270 1/4 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 30,292 1/10 Ounce Proof Gold Eagle 40,027
Issue Information
The Gold Eagles had been around for eighteen years with the release of the 2003 Eagle Program.
Release Date
Bullion Gold Eagles were sold by the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for most of the year. Proof Gold Eagles went on sale May 13, 2003.
Issue Price
Bullion Gold Eagles were sold by the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for a small premium above the spot price of the gold in them. Proof Gold Eagles saw their first price increase in several years owing to the improving gold market. The US Mint charged $630 for the One Ounce Proof Gold Eagle, $315 for the 1/2 Ounce Proof, $165 for the 1/4 Ounce Proof and $85 for the 1/10 Ounce Proof. The 4-Coin Set sold for $1,098.
U.S. Mint Production Facility
Proof Gold Eagles were struck at the US Mint’s facility in West Point and contain a ‘W’ mintmark.
Designer & Sculptor
First appearing on the 1907-1933 Double Eagle Coin, the obverse (heads side) design of the Gold Eagle was originally designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The reverse (tails side) features a family of eagles in their nest with the male soaring above it. It was designed by Miley Busiek.
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 |