Introducing the BU American Gold Eagle in 1986 marked a significant milestone for the United States Mint, unveiling four distinct coin weights. Among them, the 1 oz gold coin stood tall alongside three fractional-ounce counterparts. Notably, the 1/2 oz BU Gold Eagle emerged as a consistent contender since its inception, boasting enduring demand throughout the series.
The 1/2 oz BU American Gold Eagle boasts a commendable legacy of consistent mintage figures. While its larger counterpart, the 1 oz Gold Eagle, fluctuates between a record high of 1.505 million coins and a low of 108,000 coins, the 1/2 oz variant maintains a more restrained range, typically between 24,000 and 131,000 coins.
In fact, discounting the five highest mintages for the 1/2 oz BU Gold Eagle reveals a narrow spectrum, spanning from 24,000 to a modest 98,000 coins.
Despite achieving notable highs, the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle’s peak mintages pale in comparison to other coins in the series. Its highest mintage, while respectable, ranks merely as the second-highest for the 1/4 oz gold coin and fails to breach the top 15 for either the 1 oz or 1/10 oz variants. Noteworthy peaks for the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle include:
The fractional-ounce coins, particularly the 1/2 oz and 1/4 oz, exhibit a resilience to economic fluctuations compared to their larger counterparts. Across the 36 release dates spanning 1986 to 2021, the Gold Eagle faced varied challenges. Among them, 13 releases failed to surpass 50,000 coins, with only five exceeding 100,000 coins, two surpassing 250,000 coins, and just one breaking the 500,000-coin mark. Notable lows for the 1/2 oz BU Gold Eagle include:
Investors and collectors will find options in the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle Series. The most consistent coin, as with the other weights, is the BU 1/2 oz Gold Eagle. This coin has been struck each year since 1986. The Proof 1/2 oz Gold Eagle offers the nest best level of consistency, having been introduced in 1987 and with just one missed issue: 2009. The Burnished 1/2 oz Gold Eagle was offered from 2006 to 2008, but suspended permanently in 2009.
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