Melt value of each size
Melt value is the fine gold in the coin times the spot price, which is $4,072.10 per troy ounce right now. It is the floor under a coin’s price, before any dealer premium.
| Coin | Face value | Fine gold | Melt value now |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle 1 oz | $50 | 1 ozt | $4,072.10 |
| American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz | $25 | 0.5 ozt | $2,036.05 |
| American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz | $10 | 0.25 ozt | $1,018.03 |
| American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz | $5 | 0.1 ozt | $407.21 |
Specifications
| Coin | Total weight | Diameter | Fine gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 33.931 g | 32.70 mm | 31.103 g |
| 1/2 oz | 16.966 g | 27.00 mm | 15.552 g |
| 1/4 oz | 8.483 g | 22.00 mm | 7.776 g |
| 1/10 oz | 3.393 g | 16.50 mm | 3.110 g |
Gold Eagles are 22K: 91.67% gold, 3% silver and 5.33% copper. The extra metal makes the coin harder and more durable than pure gold, and means the coin weighs about 9% more than the gold it contains.
What you pay compared with melt value
Buying a Gold Eagle costs the spot price plus a dealer premium, which is commonly a few percent on a one-ounce coin and more on the smaller sizes. These examples are illustrations, not quotes, for a one-ounce coin:
| Premium over spot | Price for one 1 oz coin | Premium paid |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | $4,194.26 | $122.16 |
| 5% | $4,275.71 | $203.61 |
| 8% | $4,397.87 | $325.77 |
When you sell, dealers typically pay close to spot for common coins, so the premium you paid is not usually recovered. The bullion mode of the gold calculator adds the premium, sales tax and shipping to give an all-in price.
Value beyond melt
Most Gold Eagles are valued as bullion. Scarce dates, special finishes and coins in exceptional condition can be worth more to collectors than their metal, so check before you sell any coin at melt. Our gold coin value page lists the melt value of other coins and bars, including the Buffalo, Maple Leaf, Krugerrand and older US gold coins.
Related guides
- 22K gold calculator for other 22K items.
- Gold karat chart for the purity of every karat.
- Gold price per ounce today for the live spot price.
- Where to sell gold for how buyers price coins and scrap.
Frequently asked questions
How much gold is in an American Gold Eagle?
A one-ounce American Gold Eagle contains exactly one troy ounce of pure gold. Because the coin is 22K (91.67% gold) with silver and copper added for durability, the whole coin weighs about 33.93 grams, which is more than one troy ounce.
Is a Gold Eagle 22K or 24K?
It is 22K, made of 91.67% gold, 3% silver and 5.33% copper. The coin is sized so that its gold content matches the weight on the coin, so a one-ounce Eagle holds one full troy ounce of fine gold.
What is the melt value of a Gold Eagle?
Its fine gold content multiplied by the spot price. For a one-ounce coin that is the spot price per troy ounce, $4,072.10 at the time this page loaded. The fractional sizes are worth their share: half, a quarter or a tenth.
Why does a Gold Eagle sell for more than spot?
Dealers charge a premium over spot to cover minting, distribution, insurance and their own margin. It is typically a few percent for one-ounce coins and higher for the smaller sizes, where the same fixed costs are spread over less gold.
What is the face value of a Gold Eagle?
The face values are $50, $25, $10 and $5 for the one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce and tenth-ounce coins. They are far below the metal value and are of no practical importance.
Are old Gold Eagles worth more than melt value?
Common bullion-grade coins trade close to melt plus a premium. Scarce dates, special finishes or coins in exceptional condition can be worth more to collectors, so check before you sell a coin at its melt value.