Obverse of an 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle of 2017 In addition, sales of these and other specie coins from the US Mint are mandated, at least in part, to pay off the national debt. By law, the gold must come from sources in the United States, alloyed with silver and copper to produce a more wear-resistant coin. government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. Offered in 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz denominations, these coins are guaranteed by the U.S. This is particularly true with the 1/4-oz American Gold Eagle, which has a marked face value of ten dollars.
Because the term ' eagle' also is the official United States designation for pre-1933 ten dollars gold coins, the weight of the bullion coin is typically used when describing American Gold Eagles (e.g., '1/2-ounce American Gold Eagle') to avoid confusion. Authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, it was first released by the United States Mint in 1986. The American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the United States.
