On Thursday, April 19, at 12 noon ET, the 2012 Proof American Gold Eagles will be released, the United States Mint said in a news announcement.
2012 Proof American Gold Eagles come in four sizes and in a four-coin set
Last year’s proof issues launched around the same time (April 21). They come in four fractional weights or denominations, starting with the 1 oz. ($50) and then the 1/2 oz. ($25), 1/4 oz. ($10) and 1/10 oz. ($5) weights. There is also a fifth product, a four-coin set which includes all the coins packaged in a single presentation case. The 2012 Gold Eagles will be offered in the same sizes and include the four-coin set.
Mintage limits and prices for each will be different, however. The mintages are listed below in the press release, but the U.S. Mint will not set the prices for the Proof American Gold Eagles until the day before their launch. That is when the bureau conducts its weekly evaluation of precious metals prices to determine the most appropriate gold coin prices and make any necessary adjustments to its current offerings. Proof Gold Eagles are composed of 22-karat gold with varying weights for each denomination.
Each Proof American Gold Eagles will have an obverse "W" mint mark, indicating its origin from the U.S. Mint facility in West Point. Also on the obverse is Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ "Standing Liberty" design which shows a full-length image of Lady Liberty walking forward as she holds a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other.
On the reverse is Miley Busiek’s "Family of Eagles" design, a rendition of a male eagle carrying an olive branch above a nest with a female eagle and her hatchlings.
For reference, the news announcing the Proof American Gold Eagles follows.
United States Mint to Release 2012 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins on April 19
Collectors may begin placing their orders for the 2012 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins starting at noon Eastern Time (ET) on April 19. Available coin options and their mintages are as follows:
| PRODUCT | PRODUCT LIMIT | MINTAGE LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| One-Ounce Coin | 30,000 | 60,000 |
| Half-Ounce Coin | 10,000 | 40,000 |
| Quarter-Ounce Coin | 12,000 | 42,000 |
| Tenth-Ounce Coin | 25,000 | 55,000 |
| Four-Coin Se | 30,000 | N/A |
The coins and four-coin set will be priced in accordance with the United States Mint’s pricing structure for precious metals products. Current pricing information is available here.
Orders will be accepted at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) and at various United States Mint sales centers. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders.
The obverse (heads side) of the 22-karat gold American Eagle Gold Proof Coins features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ rendition of Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The reverse (tails side) features sculptor Miley Busiek’s design of a male eagle carrying an olive branch, flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her eaglets.
American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are struck multiple times and feature a frosted foreground and mirror-like background, giving them a special cameo effect. Each coin is sealed in a protective capsule and mounted in a handsome, satin-lined velvet presentation case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of April 19, 2012, noon ET shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored. For more information, please review the United States Mint’s Frequently Asked Questions, Answer ID #175.
About U.S. Mint
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.
{ 0 comments… add one now }