The 1 oz American Gold Eagle contains exactly 1 troy ounce of pure gold in a durable 22-karat alloy (91.67% gold, 3% silver, 5.33% copper). The total coin weight is 1.0909 troy ounces (33.93 grams) — the extra weight is the alloy metals, but you get a full ounce of pure gold.
First minted in 1986, the Gold Eagle is the official US gold bullion coin and the most widely traded gold coin in America. It's guaranteed by the US government for weight, content, and purity. The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic Liberty design from the 1907 $20 gold piece, widely considered the most beautiful US coin design ever created.
Gold Eagles are IRA-eligible and carry the highest liquidity of any gold bullion coin in the US market. Premiums typically range from 3-6% over spot. The 22-karat composition makes them more scratch-resistant than pure .9999 coins like the Gold Buffalo or Canadian Maple. Available in 4 sizes: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz — with smaller sizes carrying progressively higher premiums per ounce.
Common bullion dates trade at 3-6% over spot. The 1999-W is the key date. Proof versions carry collector premiums. The Type 1 (1986-2021) and Type 2 (2021-present) transition is popular with collectors.