1986 $50 American Gold Eagle 1 oz. Coin:
A 1986 one ounce American Gold Eagle bullion coin issued by the United States Mint. This coin marks the first year of release for the American Gold Eagle series, authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and officially introduced in 1986. It contains one troy ounce of fine gold, with a composition of 91.67% gold (22 karat), 3% silver, and 5.33% copper. The addition of copper and silver strengthens the coin and improves its durability, resulting in an overall weight of approximately 33.9 grams. The obverse features a full-length figure of Lady Liberty designed by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally used on the 1907-1933 $20 Double Eagle gold coins. Liberty is depicted striding forward with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand symbolizing enlightenment and an olive branch in her left representing peace. The Capitol building is faintly visible at her feet, and rays of sunlight radiate in the background. The word LIBERTY is inscribed across the top, and the date appears in Roman numerals as MCMLXXXVI, denoting the year 1986. The reverse of the coin was designed by American sculptor Miley Busiek and portrays a symbolic image of a male eagle soaring above a nest containing a female eagle and their hatchlings, representing American family values and tradition. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, E PLURIBUS UNUM to the left of the male eagle, and IN GOD WE TRUST to the right of the nest. Along the lower edge are the inscriptions 1 OZ. FINE GOLD-50 DOLLARS, indicating the weight and legal tender face value. This particular specimen remains sealed in a cardboard and plastic coin holder, with hand-written markings identifying the coin as a 1986 1 oz Gold American Eagle. Cardboard coin holder: 2″L x 2″W. Coin diameter: 32.7mm.
Artist: Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Miley Busiek (aka Miley Tucker-Frost)
Issued: 1986
Dimensions: See Description
Condition
Age related wear.
