1987 American Gold Eagle Proof 1/2 oz $25 - NGC PF 70 ULTRA CAMEO

About American Gold Eagle Coins
The American Gold Eagle was first issued in 1986 as the official gold bullion coin of the United States and are available in four sizes - one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce size. The coins were authorized by Congress, under the American Eagle Bullion Program, as a method for investors to conveniently and cost effectively purchase precious metals. The weight, content, and purity of the Gold Eagles are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

Gold Eagle Type 1 and Type 2
In honor of the 35th Anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program the United States Mint unveiled a new reverse (tails) designs for bullion and collectible versions of American Eagle Gold and Silver Coins. The new designs (Type 2 Reverse) began appearing on these coins midyear 2021 and include an anti-counterfeit reeded edge variation.

Coin Design
Obverse: Features a version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left.
Reverse: Male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets (Type 1) or a portrait of an eagle (Type 2).

Coin Artists
Obverse: Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848 - 1907)
Reverse: Miley Busiek (Type 1) or Jennie Norris (Type 2).

Bullion and Collectible Gold Eagles
Since the launch of the series, different versions of Gold Eagle coins have been offered for investors and collectors. The bullion coins carry a standard finish and are considered to be precious metals investment coins. These are not sold directly to the public, but are distributed through a network of authorized purchasers. This network provides efficient distribution as well as a two way market for the bullion coins.

Proof Gold Eagles have been offered to investors and coin collectors since 1986. These gold coins are manufactured through a specialized minting process, which includes multiple strikes with specially prepared dies to create a high quality finish. Proof coins generally display a cameo finish, where raised elements of the design are frosted and the background fields are mirrored. In 2006 the U.S. Mint issued a special reverse proof Gold Eagle, which features the opposite effect. Proof Gold Eagles have a limited mintage and are minted at the United States Mint at West Point bearing the "W" mint mark. Some earlier dates were minted at the United States Mint at Philadelphia bearing the "P" mint mark.

In more recent years, the U.S. Mint has offered a second numismatic version for collectors. These collectible uncirculated coins are struck on specially burnished blanks resulting in a finish similar to the bullion version. However, the coins contain the "W" mint mark on the obverse for clear differentiation. This version was offered from 2006 to 2008, canceled for two years, and then resumed from 2011 to present.