American Gold Eagle (1/4 oz bullion) melt value
A 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle contains a quarter of a troy ounce of pure gold. It has a $10 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 (1/4 oz). The coin is 22K, so it weighs about 8.48 grams to hold a quarter ounce of gold, and measures 22 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.