American Gold Eagle (1/2 oz bullion) melt value
A 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle contains half a troy ounce of pure gold. It has a $25 face value, but its gold is worth far more. Here's what the gold inside is worth at today's live price.
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All coins →Common questions
How do I know if my american gold eagle is gold?
The back is marked with the weight (1/2 oz). The coin is 22K, so it weighs about 16.97 grams to hold half an ounce of gold, and measures 27 mm across. Coins from 2021 on show an eagle's head on the back; earlier ones show an eagle flying over a nest. Both hold the same gold.
Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?
Dealers buy bullion close to melt value and resell at a premium. The gap covers their costs and profit, and it is usually small for well-known bullion coins.
Is it legal to melt coins?
US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.