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American Gold Eagle $50: one ounce, 22k, not a golden dollar

The $50 American Gold Eagle is 1 oz of gold in a 22k alloy, first struck in 1986. Face $50. Weight about 33.9 g. It is not a Sacagawea. Fractions exist.

American Gold Eagle $50 one-ounce bullion coin

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The American Gold Eagle $50 is the US one-ounce gold bullion coin, 1986 to date. Family Arms / Saint-Gaudens Liberty. It is 22k (91.67% gold) with silver and copper in the alloy so it holds up in a pocket. Pure gold is still 1.000 oz. Gross weight is about 33.93 g — heavier than a Gold Buffalo because of the alloy.

Face value is $50. That is not what it sells for. It sells as one ounce of gold plus a bullion premium. Pre-33 gold vs modern Eagles. US gold types.

Fractions

The Mint also makes 1/10 ($5), 1/4 ($10), and 1/2 ($25). Same design family, less gold. Do not price a 1/10 as a 1 oz. Live melt for the ounce: Gold Eagle $50 1 oz.

Not a golden dollar

A Sacagawea or Presidential dollar is gold-colored brass, about 8 g, no gold melt. A Gold Eagle is larger, heavier, and marked with the ounce weight. If it is light and says ONE DOLLAR, it is not this coin. Golden dollars. Tiny gold.

A shop bid is spot plus or minus the shop’s bullion premium, not 100% of melt. Kitchen table: melt before you visit.

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