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The 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle is the smallest denomination of America’s original bullion coin that the US Mint has released. It is also one of the most popular, second only to the inimitable 1 oz Gold Eagle, and has eclipsed the full-size coin in terms of mintage numbers more than a dozen times over the years. 

1/10 oz American Gold Eagle Price

Despite its diminutive size, the 1/10 oz Gold Eagle still draws most of its value from the spot price for gold. 

The spot price is the market value for a troy ounce of gold. It’s the value of the gold futures contracts on the commodity exchange that are expiring the closest to the current moment in time - but for almost everyone, it’s the market price.

However, the spot price is for an ounce. So, you must calculate the proportional spot price for a 1/10 oz coin. That’s a fancy way of saying that you must divide the spot price by 10.

On top of the spot price, every precious metals dealer attaches a premium. The premium is an additional fee that the dealer charges for its costs on the deal.

The premium is also not a fixed amount. It is a percentage that varies according both to the pedigree of the coin in question, its condition, and, in some cases, the precise year of its mintage.

A 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle bears a premium between 20% and 30% over the proportional spot price. As it relates to other coins of similar size, it is slightly above average in terms of its cost, although there are plenty of other coins that are more expensive.

Understand, however, that part of that premium is due to the increased liquidity of the coin. It is usually easier to sell the coin on the back end of the deal than it is to sell coins from other countries.

Find the Lowest Price on 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle

Now, with a 10% spread between high end and low end 1/10 oz Gold Eagles, it is smart to look for ways to draw nearer to the lower premium percentage. In short, there are types of coins that you should look to buy if you’re trying to keep your costs lower.

Choosing a dealer

However, the most important element of price control is the first step you take. You need to shop around for the best deals you can find on 1/10 oz American Gold Eagles. We live in an era of comparison, and you should try to find a reputable dealer with premiums that seem lower across the board.

If you don’t know where to start, look at these four dealers:

• JM Bullion
• Provident Metals
• BGASC.com
• Silver.com

We can vouch for the reputation and service quality that each of these outlets provides. At the very least, you can start to get an idea about the prices you’re going to see.

Wherever you decide to buy, make sure to do your homework on the site first - even for the sites we mention. Look at their BBB profiles. Peruse their Google reviews. Try to find unbiased sources.

The very last thing you want to do is end up with a fly-by-night or shady organization whose primary motivation is to take your money. So, don’t just move into the process with someone. 

Be very cautious about any deals that appear to be too good to be true. Deals at the spot price should only be short-term or introductory offers, and any sale beneath the spot price is quite suspicious.

Buying the least expensive coins

Now, once you’ve settled on a dealer, you should look through the 1/10 American Gold Eagles he or she has for sale (if you haven’t already). A larger selection is better than a smaller one but use your best judgment. 

The first thing to do is not to buy any coins that the US Mint made for top collectors. Proof coins, uncirculated coins, or any other coins that have never been handled by human hand are almost always going to be more expensive than run-of-the-mill versions.

Secondly, you should try to find the option to buy a 1/10 oz American Gold Eagle from a random year. Certain years are more popular among collectors and investors for various reasons, but declining to specify gives the dealer the chance to clear his or her overstock. For the trouble, the site will usually cut you a better deal.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for 1/10 oz Gold Eagles, you should try to buy in bulk if possible. Typically, these coins are available in plastic tubes of 50. Despite their high upfront cost, they are the cheapest way to buy these coins on a per-unit basis.

Description

The 1/10 oz American Gold Eagles have been part of the American Eagle coin series since their introduction in 1986. Like their full-size brethren, they offer both iconic designs and 22-karat (91.67%) gold purity.

The entire coin series itself came into existence as a rebuke to South Africa’s apartheid policy and its Krugerrand bullion coin. The US Mint’s decision to create a 91.67% pure gold coin - matching the Krugerrand’s purity - was no accident.

However, the design on the obverse and reverse of the Gold Eagle is quintessentially American. The obverse, or front, of the coin features Augustus Saint-Gaudens Liberty design, which was the popular face of the $20 Double Eagle coin in the early 20th century. 

The reverse, or back, of the coin is the reason for the coin’s name. An image of a bald eagle has appeared in one of two versions since the beginning of the series. 

Until 2021, the reverse sported sculptor Miley Busiek’s design of a family of bald eagles. Since then, the coin has had Jennie Norris’ closeup of a bald eagle on its back.

We mentioned that the 1/10 oz Gold Eagle has sometimes eclipsed the mintage numbers of the 1 oz Gold Eagle. In fact, the 1/10 oz coin holds the absolute mintage record. In 1999, the US Mint issued a whopping 2.75 million 1/10 oz Gold Eagles.

Coin Highlights

If you’re in a hurry and need some quick information about the 1/10 American Gold Eagle, check out the highlights below:

• 1/10 troy ounce of gold.
• .9167% fine gold.
• Produced since 1986.
• Obverse features Lady Liberty, as designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
• Reverse features either a family of eagles or the closeup of a bald eagle.
• Holds the single year mintage record for all Gold Eagles.
• Face value of $5.

Buying Fractional Coins

The 1/10 oz American Gold Eagles are extremely popular for a very simple reason. They are the cheapest entry point for those who wish to buy gold.

There’s no denying that buying one of these coins is the best for investors on a limited budget. They are a good deal, as gold is always a terrific investment.

That said, you do need to understand that you are not getting the biggest bang for your buck when you buy small. Where the cheapest 1/10 oz Gold Eagles have a 20% premium, 1 oz Gold Eagles are available for as little as 3.5% over the spot price.

Now, there’s no question that the 1 oz coin is still much more expensive than the 1/10 oz. If that’s all you can do, then that’s all you can do. You just need to be aware that you are paying for the privilege, as there are additional production costs associated with the manufacture of fractional coins like the 1/10 oz.

Specifications