Coin

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2016) — United States

United States • 2016 • KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2016) — United States

Overview

A Burnished Uncirculated gold 50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" coin. Minted at the West Point Mint in 2016 with a mintage of 6,887 pieces. Struck as Burnished Unc.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
2016
Composition
Gold (.917) (Silver .030, Copper .053)
Weight
33.931 g
Diameter
32.7 mm
Thickness
2.83 mm
Mint
United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States Mint of West Point
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 Script: Latin Lettering: LIBERTY 2006 W ASG Engraver: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Reverse

Family of eagles Script: Latin Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN GOD WE TRUST E PLURIBUS UNUM MB JW 1 OZ. FINE GOLD~50 DOLLARS Translation: United States of America In God We Trust Out of Many One MB JW 1 oz. Fine Gold ~ 50 Dollars Engraver: Miley Frost

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 Philadelphia, United States Mint of West Point (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 6,887 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 2016 American Gold Eagle was released during the 30th anniversary year of the series, which was established by the Gold Bullion Act of 1985 to provide a domestic investment vehicle. The United States Mint produced this specific burnished uncirculated version for collectors, utilizing specially prepared blanks. This issue represents the enduring success of the American Eagle program within the modern bullion market.

Design heritage

The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ standing figure of Liberty, originally created for the 1907 Double Eagle, modified to include additional stars. The reverse, designed by Miley Frost, depicts a male bald eagle carrying an olive branch to a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings. This 'Family of Eagles' motif served as the signature reverse for the series from its inception until its replacement in mid-2021.

Varieties and technical notes

This collector-version coin features a 'W' mint mark on the obverse, designating its production at the West Point Mint. Unlike standard bullion strikes, the burnished finish is achieved by processing planchets in media before striking, resulting in a matte-like appearance. Collectors should inspect the reeded edge and the presence of the designer initials ASG and MB JW for authenticity.

Survival and modern availability

With a confirmed mintage of 6,887 pieces, this 2016-W burnished uncirculated issue is significantly scarcer than the standard bullion strikes of the same year. Because these were sold directly to collectors in protective packaging, a high percentage survive in top-tier condition. The alloy of 22-karat gold, containing copper and silver, ensures the coin is more resistant to surface marks than .999 fine alternatives.

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