GOLD COIN FIELD GUIDE
American Gold Eagle · ¹⁄₁₀ oz
The $5 Gold Eagle is one-tenth of a fine ounce, not a historical $5 half eagle. Its small size makes accurate denomination and finish identification especially important.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1986–Date
- Composition
- 91.67% gold · 22 karat
- Standard gross weight
- 3.393 g
- Fine gold per coin
- 0.1 troy oz
- Face value
- $5.00
A modern $5 is not a historical half eagle
The modern five-dollar Gold Eagle contains one tenth of a fine troy ounce. A historical five-dollar half eagle contains a different amount, despite sharing the face value.
Distinguish a 1999-W Mint State Unfinished Proof Dies attribution from a regular W-mint proof. A W alone does not establish the variety.
Where to look. Read 5 DOLLARS and 1/10 OZ. FINE GOLD. Separate a bullion coin from a proof before assessing date or variety premiums.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Better date. A date or issue that merits its own comparison, not an automatic high-value finding.
Variety. A specific attributed design or die difference, not every coin with that year.
- Better date
1988 $5 bullion
A lower-mintage early bullion date with no mintmark; not a claim that it is the lowest-mintage tenth-ounce issue ever.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Variety
1999-W unfinished proof dies
A specific Mint State variety, not the ordinary 1999-W proof.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.1 fine troy ounces of gold per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce gold quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
- U.S. Mint Eagle sizes and content ↗
- 1988 $5 bullion — reference ↗
- 1999-W unfinished proof dies — reference ↗
- NGC gold melt-value reference ↗
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.