Pre 1933 US Gold
Gold coins minted by the United States prior to 1933 are an investment choice that is part of history.
St Gaudens 20 Double Eagles
Indian Head Gold 10 Eagles
Liberty Head Gold 10 Eagles
Learn More About Pre 1933 US Gold
The Coinage Act of 1794 authorized the US Mint to issue gold coins for circulation with a single face value for each coin type. The Gold Eagles were issued with a face value of $10, Half Eagles of $5, and Quarter Eagles of $2.50. During that era, the intrinsic value of the gold content was roughly the same as the coin's face value.
With a stroke of a pen in 1933, Roosevelt unilaterally made it illegal for people to own gold and forced all citizens to exchange their gold for Federal Reserve Notes.
Millions of ounces of circulating gold coins were removed from the circulation and melted down into gold bars, now stored inside Fort Knox and other bullion depositories.
Many patriotic citizens refused to comply with the decree, and today, these Pre-1933 Gold Coins can serve both as tangible investments in physical coins and as collectibles. Vintage gold coins are available in raw and graded forms in many weight, design, and grade options.
Pre-1933 gold coins are one of the most sought after gold bullion types available to precious metals investors and stackers. For those who enjoy history and learning, collecting pre-1933 US Mint coins can be an educational endeavor, offering insights into different periods of American history, coinage, and minting processes.
While the likelihood of gold confiscation today is a matter of debate, some investors believe that pre-1933 coins might be exempt from potential future gold confiscation efforts, given the historical and numismatic significance of these types of gold coins.
Pre-1933 US Gold Coins Sizes and Designs
There are various Pre-1933 US Gold coins that have survived the test of time. The weights, sizes, denomination and designs are very distinct from modern bullion coins. However, they still have certain similarities, such as the face value of primary denominations. Historic gold coins were minted in standard denominations that include $20 (commonly referred to as the Double Eagle or the Gold Double Eagle), $10 gold eagle, $5 half eagle, and $2.50 quarter eagle. The actual gold content (agw) in these gold coins ranges from .1209 to .9675 oz. of gold, alloyed with a small amount of copper to provide additional strength and durability for circulation.
The three most popular designs of Pre-1933 gold coins are the Indian Head, Saint-Gaudens, and Liberty Head designs.
Other, less common coins were minted and circulated that included $3 and $1 face values. Their finite supply increases their rarity and numimatic value.
Saint Gaudens Double Gold Eagle Design
The Saint Gaudens Gold Coin depicts on its obverse side the image of the walking Lady Liberty with an olive branch in one hand and a torch in the other one, with the Capitol Building being visible behind her. The same design served as an inspiration for the American Gold Eagle coin.
The Saint-Gaudens double eagle is a twenty-dollar gold coin, minted by the United States Mint from 1907 to 1933.
Liberty Head Gold Eagles
The Liberty Head Gold Eagle Coin, sometimes referred to as the Coronet Gold Eagle, features on its obverse side the depiction of Lady Liberty facing leftward and adorned with a coronet atop of her head. This coin is mainly available in two size options, like the $2.5 Liberty Quarter Gold Eagle and the $5 Liberty Half Gold Eagle, and, according to its size, can have the inscription 'Liberty' on the coronet.
The Liberty Head or Coronet eagle is an American ten-dollar gold piece struck for commerce from 1850 to 1907.
These coins have not been produced for over 90 years. Availability can be limited during times of high demand.
Indian Head Gold Eagle Coins
The Indian Head Gold Coin incorporates an image of a Native American chief on the obverse side that celebrates the indigenous cultural history of the United States. The unique design characteristic of the Indian Head Gold Coins is that the design is incuse, which means that this design is sunken into the coin instead of being raised.
The Indian Head series of coins was minted from 1907 until 1916, and then irregularly until 1933.
Executive Order 6102
With the stroke of his pen, Roosevelt made it illegal for citizens to own gold. It's hard to imagine that gold had been the basis of the American economy since colonial times. By referencing an old World War I statute called the "Trading With The Enemy Act" of 1917, Roosevelt essential declared war on ordinary American citizens.
Thirty years after the establishing the Federal Reserve, Roosevelt signed over control of the economy to a cartel of bankers that profit from the debt that gets created by the government. Along the way, political insiders siphon off their cut with little to no oversight.
His executive order immediately caused the US Mint to destroy all 1933 gold coins. Except for twenty coins were documented to be stolen, with one of the coins becoming legalized and held in a private collection.
Millions of ordinary citizens were forced to hand over their gold to Federal Reserve or face prosecution from the federal government. Citizens were allowed to keep a nominal amount of gold, up to $100 worth of gold. In those days, that was the equivalent to just five $20 St-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coins. Today, those five coins are worth more than $10,000.
There were exceptions for gold coins considered to be collector coins, those having numismatic value or being rare of unusual. A 1934 issue of The Coin Collector's Journal featured an advertisement from a local coin shop in New York City selling uncirculated quarter eagle gold coins from the 1920s for $4.50. With other denominations showing similar premiums due to devaluing the dollar by increasing the price of gold from $20 to $35 per ounce of gold.
Many investors looking for the stability of gold became collectors practically overnight. In addition to maintaining their intrinsic value today, these gold coins carry cultural heritage and historical significance. American's during that time understood the true value of gold.
In today's market it is common to find Pre-1933 gold coins that may have an added jewelry clasp, which became a common way for citizens to continue to hoard gold. These bullion coins often have lower premiums and can be a cheaper option when compared with graded collectibles.
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What are US Mint Pre-1933 Gold Coins?
With their unique designs, historical significance, and rarity, Pre-1933 US Gold Coins offer collectors and investors a glimpse into the past and a tangible connection to the stories of our ancestors.
These gleaming pieces of history are valuable precious metal assets and windows into a fascinating era.
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