Coin

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2018) — United States

United States • 2018 • KM#219, Fr#B1, PCGS#9806, 9807, etc.

50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" Bullion Coinage (2018) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike gold 50 Dollars "American Gold Eagle" coin. Minted at the West Point Mint in 2018 with a mintage of 15,570 pieces.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
2018
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 15,570 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 was first issued in 1986 to provide a sovereign bullion option for domestic and international investors. By 2018, the series had matured into a cornerstone of the United States Mint's precious metal offerings, representing stability within the modern American monetary system. This proof issue was struck during a period of sustained demand for numismatic gold following the 30th anniversary of the program.

Design heritage

The obverse features a modernized adaptation of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' 1907 double eagle design, capturing Lady Liberty in stride with a torch and olive branch against the Capitol building. The reverse, designed by Miley Frost, depicts a male eagle carrying an olive branch to a nest containing a female and her eaglets, symbolizing American family values. This composition remained the standard reverse for the series from its inception until the design change in mid-2021.

Varieties and technical notes

Collectors of the 2018 proof issue should look for the 'W' mint mark situated on the obverse to verify its West Point origin. The reeded edge should be uniform and sharp, consistent with the high-pressure striking process used for proof bullion. As a modern proof, typical variations are limited to minor differences in the depth of frost on the devices versus the mirrored fields, known as cameo or deep cameo effects.

Survival and modern availability

The 2018 proof one-ounce coin had an official mintage of 15,570 pieces, making it a low-production item compared to its bullion counterparts. Because these coins are sold directly to collectors in protective capsules and velvet cases, the vast majority remain in pristine or near-perfect condition. Unlike early 20th-century gold, these issues are not subject to government melts and have a high survival rate within the numismatic market.

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