$10 Gold Eagles (1986–)

$10 gold American Eagles have been struck since 1986 and are a popular bullion item both among collectors and investors in the United States and around the world. $10 eagles contain one-quarter ounce of pure gold and carry an obverse design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens that depicts Miss Liberty and was first made popular on $20 gold double eagles produced from 1907 through 1933. The reverse of the $10 gold eagle, designed by Miley Busiek, shows a family of eagles around a nest.

During the first six years of production, from 1986 through 1991, $10 gold eagles were dated on the obverse using Roman numerals. This changed in 1992, when the United States Mint began employing Arabic numerals, which are far more familiar to most collectors and investors.

Most uncirculated $10 gold eagles are common, though a few issues are considerably scarce and trade at premiums well above spot prices. These include the 1999-W uncirculated issue struck from unpolished proof dies and the three burnished $10 eagles from 2006, 2007, and 2008. $10 gold eagles certified in MS70 grades are popular among collectors, though as these top-grade pieces are typically sold for substantial premiums precious metals investors tend to buy pieces grading below MS69, which seems to be the minimum grade threshold for those who collect gold eagles.