American Gold Eagle
Definition
The American Gold Eagle is the United States Mint’s flagship gold bullion coin. It is struck in a 22-karat (.9167) alloy yet contains a full troy ounce of pure gold in its one-ounce version, and it is eligible for inclusion in a precious-metals IRA.
Introduced in 1986, the Gold Eagle is one of the most familiar gold coins among United States buyers.
Why it matters
The Gold Eagle is backed by the United States government for weight and purity, which contributes to its broad recognition and steady demand. Its IRA eligibility also makes it a common choice for retirement accounts that hold physical metal.
In practice
The coin uses a 22-karat alloy that adds silver and copper for durability, so a one-ounce Gold Eagle weighs more than one troy ounce overall. The pure gold content is still exactly one troy ounce. The coin comes in fractional sizes as well, including half, quarter, and tenth ounce.
Common confusion
Buyers sometimes compare the Gold Eagle’s .9167 fineness against higher-purity coins and assume it holds less gold. The alloy affects color and hardness, not the guaranteed one troy ounce of pure gold inside the one-ounce coin.