Four new gold coins debut today at noon ET from the United States Mint as part of the 2026 Proof American Gold Eagle releases, each featuring one-year-only semiquincentennial elements — the dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and a Liberty Bell privy mark with the numeral "250." The lineup includes a one-ounce 2026-W Proof American Gold Eagle and three fractional Gold Eagles, along with a four-coin set containing one of each.
Offered individually are a $50 face value one-ounce eagle and fractional versions: a half-ounce piece with a $25 face value, a quarter-ounce piece with a $10 face value, and a tenth-ounce piece carrying a $5 face value. All are struck at the Mint’s West Point facility in 22-karat gold, composed of 91.67% gold, 3.0% silver, and the remaining balance copper.
These pieces are produced as collector editions of the United States Mint’s American Gold Eagle bullion coins intended for investors, both introduced in 1986. While their sales do not approach those of the bullion strikes, the proof versions remain popular with many collectors. The Mint reported the following figures through March 1 for last year’s releases:
- 2025 1 oz Proof American Gold Eagle — 3,974
- 2025 1/2 oz Proof American Gold Eagle — 1,983
- 2025 1/4 oz Proof American Gold Eagle — 3,736
- 2025 1/10 oz Proof American Gold Eagle — 7,967
- 2025 Proof American Gold Eagle Four-Coin Set — 2,963
Proof coins are sought for their enhanced level of detail, with frosted design elements contrasting against mirror-like backgrounds.
Coin Designs
Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ depiction of Liberty has appeared on the obverse (heads side) of American Gold Eagles since the series began. In 2021, the image was refined using historical artifacts and modern technology to mark the program’s 35th anniversary. The artwork itself, however, traces back to the early 20th century, when it first appeared on $20 gold coins struck from 1907 to 1933.
Obverse inscriptions read "LIBERTY," "2026," along with a "W" mintmark denoting production at the West Point Mint. To commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial, each coin also bears the dual date "1776 ~ 2026" and a Liberty Bell privy mark with the numeral "250."
The Mint also introduced a completely new reverse (tails side) in 2021 that remains in use on these latest coins. The artwork presents a striking close-up of an eagle’s head, created by Jennie Norris under the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.
Reverse inscriptions read "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "IN GOD WE TRUST," along with the artists’ initials, the coin’s face value, and its precious metal weight.
Specifications of American Gold Eagles
| $50 | $25 | $10 | $5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | 22 Karat Gold (91.67% gold 3.0% silver balance copper) |
|||
| Weight | 1.0909 troy oz. (33.931 grams) |
0.5455 troy oz. (16.966 grams) |
0.2727 troy oz. (8.483 grams) |
.1091 troy oz. (3.393 grams) |
| Diameter | 1.287 inches (32.70 mm) |
1.063 inches (27.00 mm) |
0.866 inch (22.00 mm) |
0.650 inch (16.50 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded Edge Variation | Reeded Edge | ||
| Thickness | 0.113 inch (2.87 mm) |
0.085 inch (2.15 mm) |
0.070 inch (1.78 mm) |
0.049 inch (1.26 mm) |
Ordering, Limits and Prices
Collectors interested in purchasing the 2026 Proof American Gold Eagles can check availability and current pricing through the United States Mint’s online catalog.
Debut pricing, along with product, mintage, and household order limits for the 2026-W Proof American Gold Eagles are as follows:
| Product Option | Product Limit | Mintage Limit | Household Order Limit | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 $50 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1 oz.) | N/A | 25,000 | 1 | $6,100.00 |
| 2026 $25 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/2 oz.) | N/A | 18,500 | 1 | $3,090.00 |
| 2026 $10 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/4 oz.) | N/A | 21,000 | 1 | $1,585.00 |
| 2026 $5 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin (1/10 oz.) | N/A | 29,000 | 1 | $685.00 |
| 2026 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins (Four-Coin Set) | 15,000 | N/A | 1 | $11,410.00 |
*Like other U.S. Mint precious metal coins, pricing is subject to weekly adjustments based on the Mint’s precious metals coin pricing matrix. Current prices are based on an LBMA gold range of $5,200.00 to $5,249.99 an ounce.
