Coin

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2004) — United States

United States • 2004 • KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2004) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike 50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion coin issued by the United States. Minted in 2004 with a mintage of 28,215 pieces, it features Standing Liberty holding a torch and olive branch on the obverse, and a family of eagles on the reverse. The coin is composed of Gold (.917) (Silver .030, Copper .053) with a milled reeded edge.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
2004
Composition
Gold (.917) (Silver .030, Copper .053)
Weight
33.931 g
Diameter
32.7 mm
Thickness
2.83 mm
Mint
United States Mint
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 (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 28,215 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

The 2004 American Gold Eagle was issued during a period of relative stability for the United States bullion program, serving as the official investment-grade gold coin of the nation. These coins were authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 to compete with international gold series like the South African Krugerrand. The 2004 release reflects the continued policy of using domestically mined gold for all United States Mint bullion products.

Design heritage

The obverse features the standing figure of Liberty, a design originally created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens for the 1907 Double Eagle at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt. The reverse, designed by Miley Frost, depicts a male bald eagle carrying an olive branch to a nest containing a female and her eaglets. This motif was intended to symbolize the strength and security of the American family unit.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors should look for the 'W' mint mark on the obverse below the year, signifying production at the West Point Mint for this proof issue. As a proof strike, the coin features frosted devices contrasting against deep mirror-like fields, achieved through multiple high-pressure strikes. The edge is consistently reeded as per the technical specifications for this denomination.

Survival and modern availability

With a verified mintage of 28,215 pieces, this proof issue is significantly scarcer than its bullion counterpart produced in the same year. Most examples have been preserved in original government packaging or professional grading holders, shielding them from the attrition typical of circulating coinage. The survival rate remains high among collectors, though pieces are frequently traded based on the fluctuating spot price of its 33.931-gram gold content.

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