Coin

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (1989) — United States

United States • 1989 • KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (1989) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike 50 Dollars non-circulating coin of the United States, minted in 1989 at West Point with a limited mintage of 54,570 pieces.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1989
Composition
Gold (.917) (Silver .030, Copper .053)
Weight
33.931 g
Diameter
32.7 mm
Thickness
2.83 mm
Mint
United States Mint of West Point, United States
Mintmark
W
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Standing Liberty holding torch and olive branch

Reverse

Family of eagles

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Miley Frost is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: United States Mint of West Point, United States (mintmark W). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 54,570 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Precious metal content: Gold (.917) (Silver .030, Copper .053) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

Following the passage of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, the American Gold Eagle program was established to provide a competitive domestic alternative to international bullion coins like the Krugerrand. The 1989 issue represents the fourth year of the series, a period when the United States Mint continued to solidify its presence in the global investment market. This specific proof edition was produced at the West Point Mint during a time of relatively stable gold market conditions.

Design heritage

The obverse features the 1907 design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally created for the Double Eagle, depicting a full-length Liberty with flowing hair holding a torch and olive branch. The reverse, designed by Miley Frost, portrays a family of eagles with a male eagle carrying an olive branch to a nest containing a female and her hatchlings. These motifs combine historical American numismatic art with modern symbolic representations of family and strength.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors should look for the 'W' mint mark on the obverse, indicating production at West Point, which is a standard feature for the proof strikes of this year. As a proof issue, these coins were struck multiple times using polished dies and planchets to create a mirrored field and frosted devices. Technical inspection should focus on the reeded edge and the cameo contrast, which can vary slightly between early and late die states.

Survival and modern availability

The mintage for the 1989-W proof one-ounce gold eagle was limited to 54,570 pieces, a significantly lower figure than the bullion strikes meant for bulk investment. Because these were sold as premium collector items in protective cases, they enjoy a very high survival rate in high-grade or even perfect condition. While silver and copper are included in the .917 fine gold alloy for increased durability, these coins rarely show circulation wear and are primarily traded within the numismatic secondary market.

More from United States

Other 50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage issues

Explore more

Browse more items in the full catalog or view United States in the country guide.