Coin

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2017) — United States

United States • 2017 • KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2017) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike gold 50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" coin. Minted at the West Point Mint in 2017 with a mintage of 19,056 pieces.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
2017
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 19,056 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

By 2017, the American Gold Eagle program had served as the flagship bullion series for the United States for over three decades following its authorization by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985. This specific year occurred during a period of steady demand for precious metals, maintaining the use of 22-karat gold alloy to ensure durability. The 2017 issue continued the tradition of providing a government-guaranteed investment vehicle that also appealed to numismatists through specialized proof strikes.

Design heritage

The obverse features the classic 1907 design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally created at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt to modernize American coinage. It depicts Lady Liberty walking forward with a torch and olive branch, symbolizing enlightenment and peace. The reverse, designed by Miley Frost, portrays a family of eagles which signifies American family values and tradition, a motif used on the series since its inception in 1986.

Varieties and technical notes

This 2017 proof issue carries the 'W' mint mark, indicating its production at the West Point Mint. Collectors seeking high-grade examples often look for Deep Cameo or Ultra Cameo designations, which highlight the contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields. Proper edge reeding and the presence of the designer initials 'ASG' on the obverse and 'MB JW' on the reverse are standard technical identifiers for this series.

Survival and modern availability

With a mintage of 19,056 for the one-ounce proof version, this coin was produced in significantly lower quantities than its bullion counterpart. Because these were sold directly to collectors in protective packaging, they generally enjoy a high survival rate in Proof-69 or Proof-70 condition. Unlike historical gold coins, these were never intended for circulation and have been largely preserved in private collections and investment portfolios.

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.