In 1986 the American Gold Eagle coins were released. They were originally available in four different amounts which included: $5, $10, $25, and $50 amounts. It helps to know that these coins are extremely rare, and not too many people are willing to sell them. I will discuss ways to obtain them, and also some other important information about these rarities.
1 troy ounce of gold is what creates the $50 coin. In fact, it's a bit more than that, weighing around 1.09 troy ounces. Troy ounces are the way that metals are weighed, and even though one ounce is technically pretty light, that's still a large chunk of gold. Even the lesser money tenders have pretty high quality weights. The $25 piece weighs around 17 grams! It is important to know what coin you want to start collecting first, so you can make the proper arrangements in finding it.
Now for the scavenger hunt part. Knowing where to find one of these American Gold Eagle Coins is a fun game to play, and if you find one, you are a lucky person. Ebay has plenty of listings for them, but there is a chance that there is a fake replica in the mix. Local phonebooks also have listings for antique dealers and coin dealers. These shops can be overpriced, though there is always an honest man in the bunch. There is also a chance that Craigslist will have a listing or two in the larger cities.
If you were successful with locating an American Gold Eagle Coin, you are now ready to purchase it. You should have a minimum of $1,000 set aside, and be prepared to haggle, and do more researching. The value of this coin will greatly fluctuate with time, and the current gold market. Listings on Ebay have gone for well over $900, for a newer coin. The rarer the coin, the more you can expect to shell out. American Gold Eagle coin collecting is not a cheap or thrifty hobby.
Finally, the collecting part! Now that you have your first coin, you can start becoming a collector of gold coins. Search high and low for them, and try to snag good deals when the gold market is low. These coins will be at their cheapest value then, and allow you to collect even more! Some collectors aim for one from every year, but that is not always possible. These coins are rare, and there are very few in circulation and even sellers are reluctant to get rid of them.
Closing Comments
If you love collecting these coins, be sure to treat them with care. Clean them, and keep them safe. Never get down if you cannot find a good place to purchase one, and always do plenty of research! Even seasoned collectors can make mistakes.