2011-W $50 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin
The 2011-W $50 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin continues a program that debuted in 1986 and was originally authorized by the Bullion Act of 1985.
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| Mintage: TBD Sold Out: TBD Authorizing Coin Law U.S. Mint Online Site |
These coins are typically struck by the Mint annually in four different sizes- one ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce. However, for the first time ever, the Mint did not produce any of the Proof Gold Eagles in 2009. Due to unprecedented demand for the bullion versions of the coin, it was not able to procure enough gold blanks to strike the proof versions. A return to their production is expected in 2010 making the 2011 coins much more likely.
Aside from these proof versions of the coin and the bullion editions, the Mint also typically strikes an uncirculated one ounce Eagle.
Historic Mintage on Proof Eagles
As an indicator of how the Proof Gold Eagles sell, the following table shows the mintage on the one ounce coin:
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1986 – 446,290 1987 – 147,498 1988 – 87,133 1989 – 54,570 1990 – 62,401 1991 – 50,411 1992 – 44,826 1993 – 34,389 |
1994 – 46,674 1995 – 46,484 1996 – 36,000 1997 – 27,554 1998 – 26,060 1999 – 31,446 2000 – 33,006 2001 – 24,555 |
2002 – 27,499 2003 – 28,344 2004 – 28,215 2005 – 35,246 2006 – 37,096 2007 – 51,810 2008 – 30,237 2009 – N/A 2010 – tbd |
The numbers shown above for the one ounce coin include those sold as part of the Proof Gold Eagle 4-Coin Sets.
Issue Information
Gold Proof Eagles have been sold annually since 1986, with the exception of 2009. That year, they were cancelled due to unprecedented demand for the bullion version of the coins.
Release Date
A release date of April 21, 2011 has been announced by the US Mint.
Issue Price
The Mint utilizes a pricing matrix for the cost of the gold Eagles which links the price of the coins to the average of the London Fix for gold the previous week.
U.S. Mint Production Facility
A "W" mintmark found on each coin indicates it was struck at the US Mint’s facility in West Point.
Designer & Sculptor
The obverse (heads side) design of the Gold Eagles is based on Augustus St. Gaudens Double Eagle Coin which originally appeared in 1907. It features the mythical figure of Liberty walking. The design is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful ever produced.
The reverse (tails side) was designed by Miley Busiek to show a family of Eagles with one in flight and the rest in a nest.
Coin Specifications
| Face Value: | $50, $25, $10, $5 |
| Finish: | Proof |
| Composition: | 91.67% Au 3% Ag 5.33% Cu |
| Standard Weight: | 33.930 g, 16.965 g, 8.483 g, 3.393 g |
| Standard Diameter: | 32.70 mm, 27 mm, 22 mm, 16.5 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |