$25 Gold Eagles (1986–)

$25 gold eagles have been issued since 1986 and contain a half-ounce of pure gold. While popular among investors for their precious metal content, these sizable gold bullion coins are also enjoyed for their artistic merit. Their obverses carry a beautiful Miss Liberty motif by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens as seen on the $20 gold double eagle from 1907 through 1933. Meanwhile, the reverse of these bullion coins features a design by Miley Busiek incorporating a family of eagles. From 1986 through 1991 gold half-ounce eagles are dated using Roman numerals, whereas pieces struck since 1992 feature the more familiar Arabic numerals.

Uncirculated $25 gold eagles are common coins on the whole, though several issues are relatively scarce and command significant premiums. These include uncirculated pieces struck from 1988 through 1992, 1995 and 1996 specimens, the 2001 half-ounce eagle, and the burnished specimens minted at West Point in 2006, 2007, and 2008. While collectors generally seek specimens grading MS70, several dates from earlier in the series are extremely challenging to locate in that grade, and thus MS69 serves as the minimum grade threshold for those who seek $25 gold eagles for their collections.