Have you heard about the 2021 American Gold Eagle new design? Collectors’ excitement has been mounting ever since the U.S. Mint announced a new look for the country’s official gold bullion coin last fall. The event marks a new era in American coinage because it’s the first time the design of the Gold Eagle has changed in its 35-year history.
This summer brings the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 with the designs you’ve known and loved since the coin’s inception in 1986 and the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 with an entirely new reverse design by a young newcomer to the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program, Jennie Norris. In addition, the Mint is “refreshing” the obverse design inspired by Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Gold Double Eagle coin.
What does the 2021 American Gold Eagle new design look like and when can you purchase one? Find out below.
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➤ What will the 2021 Silver Eagles look like? Different! Get your first look at the 2021 Silver Eagle Type 2 coin here.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 vs. 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Design
What kind of changes can you expect from the 2021 American Gold Eagle new design? A completely different depiction of the eagle on the reverse and enhancements to the original Liberty design on the obverse.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 design and the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 design for comparison.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 Coin Design
The Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 authorized the American Eagle Gold coin and mandated that Liberty be represented on the obverse design and the Family of Eagles motif on the reverse. However, the Mint Act of 1890 permits American coin designs to be changed every 25 years.[1] Thirty-five years after the American Gold Eagle coin was first introduced, U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder sought the approval of then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to replace the familial imagery on the reverse with a fiercer depiction of our national bird…
2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 Reverse Design (Old Design)
Reverse design of the type 1 (old design) 2021 American Gold Eagle Coin. Image Source: US Mint.
First, let’s revisit Texas artist Miley Busiek’s eagle aerie. Gracing the reverse since 1986, the image marks the first time multiple eagles appear on an American coin. In the scene, a male bald eagle carries an olive branch back to the nest holding the female eagle and their hatchlings. Busiek’s intention was to portray America as a caring family.[2]
“United States of America” is inscribed along the top of the coin; “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” intersect the eagle imagery in the middle; and “1 Oz Fine Gold ~ 50 Dollars” hugs the bottom. Miley Busiek’s initials sit under the nest, as well as sculptor Sheril Joseph Winter’s.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 Obverse Design (Old Design)
Obverse design of the type 1 (old design) 2021 American Gold Eagle Coin. Image Source: US Mint.
The obverse design of the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 is inspired by a design marking another monumental event in the history of America’s coinage: the beautification campaign President Theodore Roosevelt initiated, and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens realized with the Double Eagle, at the turn of the 19th century. Oft considered the most beautiful coin in the world, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle features a classical personification of Lady Liberty marching forth into the dawn of a new day carrying the olive branch of peace and the torch of freedom, rays of sun illuminating the Capitol dome and hills behind her. Stars symbolizing the states line the edge of the coin, forming a circle around the awe-inspiring image.
“Liberty” is inscribed at the top of the obverse of the 2021 Gold Eagle Type 1 coin and “2021” in the right, lower corner.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Coin Design
If you needed a reminder of our country’s strength and independence, you’ll find it in the American Eagle coin’s new reverse. As for the Mint’s refresh of the obverse, expect the devices to be in slightly higher relief, as Saint-Gaudens intended the Double Eagle to be when the coin was first stuck in 1907.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Reverse Design (New Design)
Reverse design of the Type 2 (new design) 2021 American Gold Eagle Proof Coin. Image Source: US Mint.
For her first contribution to the U.S. Mint, artist Jennie Norris transformed Busiek’s nurturing avian patriarch into a virile bird of prey. The closeup profile of the eagle gives the viewer the chilling feeling of standing just inches from it in the wild.
Inscriptions remain the same, except for the artist and sculptor’s initials: “JN” is etched under the eagle’s head and “RG” for Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon above it in the right corner.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Obverse Design (New Design)
Obverse design of the Type 2 (new design) 2021 American Gold Eagle Proof Coin. Image Source: US Mint.
If the recent sale at auction of a Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle for nearly $19 million is a testament to how much collectors love this coin, then it’s no wonder the U.S. Mint chose to not only keep his image of Liberty for the obverse but also enhance it. The Mint used the artist’s original bronze cast to make the Capitol Building, stars, rays of sun, torch, and other design elements sharper, so they more closely align with Saint-Gaudens’ original vision.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Enhanced Security Features
Fake American Eagle Gold coins have been a problem in recent years. To combat counterfeiting issues, the Mint added new security features, including a reeded edge variation just like the new 2021 silver eagle design.[3]
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Release Date
You can start looking for the 2021 American Gold Eagle new design bullion coins this July. They’ll be released in four denominations:
- 1 oz 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 coin ($50 face value)
- ½ oz 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 coin ($25 face value)
- ¼ oz 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 coin ($10 face value)
- 1/10 oz 2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 coin ($5 face value)
Proof coin versions will also become available for purchase this month. The U.S. Mint plans to release the American Eagle 2021 Gold Proof Four-Coin Set and the American Eagle 2021 one-ounce Gold Proof Coin, along with smaller denominations, on July 29.[4]*
In addition to the proof and bullion versions, the U.S. Mint plans to release a 2021 American Gold Eagle one-ounce uncirculated coin on October 7, 2021.*
*Please note that due to high demand and supply shortages, the U.S. Mint may postpone its release of the proof coins and uncirculated coins.
2021 Gold Eagle Type 2 Specifications (1 Oz Coin)
| Denomination: |
$50 |
| Finish: |
Proof, Uncirculated & Bullion |
| Composition: |
.9167 Gold |
| Weight: |
1.0909 troy oz. (33.931 grams) |
| Diameter: |
1.287 inches (32.7 mm) |
| Edge: |
Reeded |
| Mint and Mint Mark: |
West Point – W |
| Privy Mark: |
none |
Where to Buy American Eagle Gold Type 2 Coins
This July brings the rare opportunity to purchase America’s favorite coin when the design changes for the first time in its 35-year history. 2021 is also the last year the American Eagle Gold Type 1 coins will be issued, so it’s likely demand for both coins will be strong as old and new collectors seek to own a piece of this historic moment.
If you’d like to be notified when Scottsdale Bullion & Coin will be offering the American Eagle Gold Type 1 and Type 2 coins for sale, subscribe to our newsletter. We’ll update you as soon as these coins become available.
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