1986-S American Gold Eagle Proof

Historical Notes

First year proof Gold Eagle struck by San Francisco Mint.

The United States Mint began producing American Gold Eagles in 1986 following the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985. The government created these coins to provide investors with a reliable way to own gold. The obverse features the iconic Lady Liberty design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally created for the 1907 Double Eagle. This design shows Liberty walking forward with a torch and an olive branch against a backdrop of the Capitol building. The reverse design changed in 2021 to mark the 35th anniversary of the series. Miley Busiek designed the original reverse, which depicts a family of eagles. Jennie Norris designed the current reverse, which features a close-up portrait of a bald eagle. The series remains in production today. You are holding a coin backed by the U.S. government for its gold weight and purity.

Start your collection with common date bullion issues from the 1990s or 2000s, as these trade close to the spot price of gold. Focus on coins in original mint condition, as even minor surface scratches or dings significantly reduce the value of a bullion coin. Avoid coins with heavy contact marks or cleaning, because these defects make the gold harder to resell. Check the weight on a digital scale to ensure it matches the official specification, as high-quality counterfeits exist in the market. Buy only from reputable dealers to guarantee authenticity.

This series includes key dates — check individual coin pages for rarity details.