US Gold Coins Value

U.S. gold coin values: 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle obverse and reverse, 1907 Indian Head eagle and 1854 Type 2 gold dollar on a gold background

U.S. gold coin values: 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle, 1907 Indian Head eagle and 1854 Type 2 gold dollar. Photos: Smithsonian National Museum of American History, National Numismatic Collection (public domain).

If you’re considering selling gold coins, or just want to know your US gold coins value, you’ve come to the right place. American Rarities is buying all U.S. numismatic and silver and gold bullion material, including rare gold coins.

Our nationwide network of collectors is interested in all types of US gold coins. We can’t get enough US gold coins to satisfy the demand of our coin collector customers!

Every U.S. gold coin has two values: its melt value, set by the gold it contains and the spot price of gold, and its collector (numismatic) value, set by its date, mint mark, rarity, grade and demand. Common-date coins in circulated grades usually trade close to melt value, while scarce dates, branch mint coins and high-grade or certified coins can be worth far more than their gold content. This page explains how to work out the US gold coins value of the coins you own. For the history of each type and how to read mint marks, see our U.S. Gold Coin Information guide, and when you are ready to sell, see Sell U.S. Gold Coins.

What Determines the Value of a U.S. Gold Coin?

To judge what a U.S. gold coin is worth, we look at five things:

Gold content. The weight of pure gold in the coin sets its floor value. Older U.S. gold coins are 90% gold; modern American Gold Eagles are 22 karat and American Buffalos are 24 karat.
Date and mint mark. The same design can be common in one year and rare in another. Coins from the Carson City (CC), Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D) and early New Orleans (O) mints were made in small numbers and often carry a strong premium.
Mintage and survival. Many U.S. gold coins were melted after 1933, so how many survive today matters as much as how many were struck. PCGS CoinFacts lists mintages and population data by date.
Grade and eye appeal. Wear, luster, marks and strike all change value, and the difference between two grades can be large for scarce dates.
Originality and certification. Cleaned, polished, repaired or damaged coins sell for less. Coins certified by PCGS or NGC are easier to value and to sell, and genuine coins need to be told apart from counterfeits.

1908 Indian Head half eagle five dollar gold coin, obverse with a Native American in a feathered headdress and reverse with a standing eagle, designs incused below the surface — 1908 Indian Head half eagle: the Indian Head design has its devices sunk below the surface of the coin.

Melt Value vs. Collector Value

Melt value is the simplest part of US gold coins value to work out: multiply the coin’s actual gold weight (AGW) by the current spot price of gold per troy ounce. The table shows the gold content of the main U.S. gold coins struck to the .900 fine standard used from 1837 to 1933. Earlier coins struck before the 1834 and 1837 changes contain slightly different amounts of gold.

Coin	Gross weight	Fineness	Pure gold (AGW)
$20 double eagle	33.436 g	.900	0.9675 oz
$10 eagle	16.718 g	.900	0.48375 oz
$5 half eagle	8.359 g	.900	0.24187 oz
$3 gold piece	5.015 g	.900	0.14512 oz
$2.50 quarter eagle	4.180 g	.900	0.12094 oz
$1 gold dollar	1.672 g	.900	0.04837 oz
1 oz American Gold Eagle (1986-date)	33.931 g	.9167	1.0000 oz
1 oz American Buffalo (2006-date)	31.108 g	.9999	1.0000 oz

Melt value = AGW in troy ounces x spot gold price. For example, a $20 Liberty or Saint-Gaudens double eagle contains 0.9675 oz of gold, so its melt value is just under the price of one ounce of gold. You can check the live spot price on Kitco. Dealers usually pay a little over melt for common-date coins in nice condition, and a collector premium on top for scarce dates and high grades.

US Gold Coins Value Chart

U.S. gold coins of different values in a row: 1915 Panama-Pacific gold dollar, Classic Head quarter eagle, 1907 high relief double eagle, 1879 Stella, 1911 Indian eagle, 1902 Liberty half eagle and Louisiana Purchase gold dollar — U.S. gold coins of different denominations and values, from gold dollars to the 1907 high relief double eagle

Here is a list of some of the various US gold coins we buy, ranked by their relative melt values:

Buffalo $50 1 Oz (2006 – Date)
Gold Eagle $50 1 Oz (2006 – Date)
Saint-Gaudens $20 (1907 – 1923)
Liberty Head $20 (1849 – 1907)
First Spouse $10 ½ Oz (2007 – Date)
Gold Eagle $25 ½ Oz (1986 – Date)
Indian Head $10 (1907 – 1933)
Liberty Head $10 (1838 – 1907)
Gold Eagle $10 ¼ Oz (1986 – Date)
Modern Commemorative $5 (1982 – Date)
Indian Head $5 (1908 – 1929)
Liberty Head $5 (1839 – 1908)
Indian Head $3 (1854 – 1889)
Indian Head $2.50 (1908 – 1929)
Liberty Head $2.50 (1840 – 1907)
Gold Eagle $5 1/10 Oz (1986 – Date)
Indian Head Type Two Gold Dollar (1854 – 1856)
Indian Head Type Three Gold Dollar (1856 – 1889)
Liberty Head Type One Gold Dollar (1849 – 1854)

Of most interest to us are Liberty Head and Indian Head gold coins.

For information on current melt values, click here.

Key Dates and Rare U.S. Gold Coins

Some U.S. gold coins are worth many times their gold content because so few exist:

1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle. Almost the entire mintage was melted after the gold recall, and only one example is legal for private ownership. It is one of the most valuable coins in the world.
1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20. Dated in Roman numerals (MCMVII) with a deep relief that was hard to strike, it is one of the most sought-after U.S. gold coins.
Carson City gold. $5, $10 and $20 coins with the CC mint mark (1870-1893) had low mintages and are popular with collectors.
Charlotte and Dahlonega gold. Southern branch mint gold struck from 1838 to 1861 is scarce in every grade.
Early gold (1795-1834). Most early U.S. gold coins were melted or exported, and survivors are rare.
Proof gold coins and the $4 Stella. Proof gold and the 1879-1880 Stella patterns were made in very small numbers for collectors.

Values for these coins depend on exact date, grade and certification, so the best way to know what yours is worth is an expert appraisal.

Group of U.S. gold coins to sell: Saint-Gaudens and Liberty Head double eagles, Liberty Head and Classic Head gold, Indian Head quarter and half eagles and a gold dollar — Group of U.S. gold coins: double eagles, eagles, half eagles, quarter eagles and a gold dollar

Why Sell US Gold Coins to Us?

When selling US gold coins it’s important to deal with a reputable buyer. who can pay according to your US gold coins’ value. Our reputation for integrity and fairness speaks for itself, as exemplified in our A+ BBB rating, and Five Star Google reviews, and American Numismatic Association life membership.

Our nationwide network of gold coin buyers allows us to consistently beat the competition in offering you the best prices for your US gold coins value.

As you can see, we are one of the most credible US gold coins buyers out today!

American Rarities has been buying rare U.S. coins since 1990 and has purchased over $400 million in coins and collections. We are rated A+ by the BBB and 4.7 stars from 86 Google reviews, and our numismatists are ANA Life Members. We are a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center, and we use XRF testing and digital microscopy to check gold coins. You can ship your coins to us by fully insured mail with no deductible, or ask about a home visit for larger collections, and we pay by check, wire or ACH.

Get A Free Gold Coin Appraisal!

One of the great things about doing business with American Rarities is we offer free appraisals. Simply take some photos of your US gold coins and send them in to us via text, email, or the Contact US form! We’ll promptly reach out with an appraisal of your US gold coins value!

These appraisals are risk-free and IRS-approved. There is no obligation to sell after the appraisal, so feel free to use us as a resource!

Always Paying More For Your Gold Coins

Quick Answers: US Gold Coins Value

How much is my U.S. gold coin worth?

Start with its melt value: the coin’s actual gold weight multiplied by the spot price of gold. Then add any collector premium for its date, mint mark, rarity and grade. Common-date circulated coins trade near melt, while scarce dates and high grades can be worth much more. For an exact figure, send photos for a free appraisal.

Are U.S. gold coins worth more than their melt value?

Almost always. Even common-date pre-1933 U.S. gold coins usually sell for a little more than their gold content, and rare dates, branch mint coins and coins in high grades can be worth many times melt value.

Does cleaning a gold coin reduce its value?

Yes. Cleaning or polishing removes original luster and leaves fine hairlines, and collectors pay much less for cleaned coins. Never clean a gold coin before you have it appraised.