The American Eagle Program draws inspiration from the $20 Double Eagle Gold Coins minted between 1907 and 1933, initially designed by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, adapting this iconic artwork for use on Gold Eagles.
On the obverse, Lady Liberty stands at the center, confidently stepping forward with a torch of enlightenment in her right hand and an olive branch of peace in her left, embodying the Founding Fathers’ ideals of freedom, unity, and progress.
The Capitol Building rises behind her against the rays of a rising sun, while the mintage year appears on the right and “LIBERTY” arches along the top rim. The design is framed by a circle of six-pointed stars.
The reverse, crafted by Jennie Norris to mark the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle Program, depicts the majestic head of a bald eagle with a powerful, forward-looking gaze, symbolizing America’s strength and resolve.
Above the eagle are the inscriptions “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”, while the outer rim bears “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “10 DOLLARS 1/4 OZ. FINE GOLD”, completing the coin’s distinguished design.
Security Features
The 2026 American Gold Eagle coins feature a reeded edge as an anti-counterfeiting security feature, giving investors the peace of mind that their investment is authentic.
2026 American Gold Eagle Mintage
The 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle is one of the fractional coins produced by the US Mint to be part of the American Eagles Program, crafted from 22-karat gold (.9167 fineness).
To increase durability, the U.S. Mint alloys the gold with 3% silver and 5.33% copper. Despite this blend, each coin still contains a full fourth troy ounce of gold, giving it a slightly greater total weight than many other international gold coins.
The coin weighs 0.2727 troy ounces (8.483 grams) and has a diameter of 0.866 inches (22.00 mm).
The American Gold Eagle Series
The U.S. Mint introduced the American Eagle Program in 1986, initially featuring the American Gold Eagle and American Silver Eagle. The series later expanded to include the American Platinum Eagle in 1997 and the American Palladium Eagle in 2017.
For added investment flexibility, the gold coins are also available in fractional sizes, including 1/2 oz ($25 face value), 1/4 oz ($10 face value), and 1/10 oz ($5 face value) options.
In 2021, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the US Gold Eagles, the US Mint introduced a new design by AIP artist Jennie Norris.
