American Gold Eagle Proof – Front

American Gold Eagle Proof – Back

The American Gold Eagle Proof program was introduced in 1986. The term “proof” refers to a specialized minting process. The burnished coin blanks are double-struck to create a more 3-dimensional effect, and higher-relief dies are cast to bring out all the beauty of the original sculptures. Everything is sharper, with more depth, and the coins often exhibit a cameo appearance with brightly-mirrored fields and snowy devices (the portraits, etc). The coins are then hermetically sealed in plastic holders and packaged for sale to the general public. At the US Mint, these coins are never even touched by human hands!

The front of American Gold eagle Proof features the rendition of Augustus Saint-Gauden’s full length figure of lady Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her hand ans an olive branch in her left. The reverse of the coin design by Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.

The United States Mint, as well as others around the world, produce high-quality specimens of these coins for collectors. These are known as Proof Coins. Formerly reserved as presentation pieces for heads of state and other dignitaries, some of these coins carry six-figure price tags today! But now the same quality coins are available to the general public.

Proof coins are the ultimate expression of the coin-maker’s art. They carry a slight premium to regular collector coins, but once you’ve seen the difference, you won’t forget it! South Bay Gold stocks both American and World Gold and Silver coins, which are very popular gifts for special occasions (especially for the man who has everything!)