A U.S. $10 gold eagle holds 0.4838 troy ounce of gold, a $5 half eagle 0.2419, and a $2.50 quarter eagle 0.1209. These figures apply to the coins struck to the .900 fine standard of the Coinage Act of 1837, which stayed in force until U.S. gold coinage ended in 1933.
The table
| Coin | Statutory weight | Total weight | Gold share | Fine gold (troy oz) | Fine gold (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 eagle | 258 grains | 16.718 g | 90% | 0.4838 | 15.046 |
| $5 half eagle | 129 grains | 8.359 g | 90% | 0.2419 | 7.523 |
| $2.50 quarter eagle | 64.5 grains | 4.180 g | 90% | 0.1209 | 3.762 |
| $20 double eagle | 516 grains | 33.436 g | 90% | 0.9675 | 30.093 |
The 1837 Act set the eagle at 258 grains, the half eagle at 129 and the quarter eagle at 64½, all at 900 parts of gold per thousand; the double eagle, authorized in 1849 at the same standard, is twice the eagle. Gold content is weight × 0.9 ÷ 480 grains per troy ounce. Because the weights double from the quarter eagle up to the double eagle, so does the gold: the $10 eagle holds 0.48375 troy ounce and the $20 holds twice that.
The face value is not the gold
People sometimes assume a $10 coin holds ten dollars’ worth of gold. The coin’s gold is set by weight, as above, and has nothing to do with the number stamped on it. A $10 eagle holds a little under half an ounce, a $5 about a quarter, and a $2.50 about an eighth, so the same coin can be worth many times its face value in metal alone, and a $2.50 coin that looks tiny holds 0.1209 troy ounce, a little over a tenth of an ounce.
Caveats specific to old gold
- Earlier coins differ. U.S. gold struck before the 1837 Act followed other standards, so these figures do not apply to them.
- Wear. The weights are standard issue; worn coins weigh less.
- Collector premium. Many of these coins sell for far more than their metal, depending on date, mint and condition. Our guide to numismatic versus bullion value explains the difference, and the double eagle page works through the largest of these coins.
Work out your own
Gold value = fine troy ounces × the price you type × number of coins. It is the metal only, not what a dealer pays or charges.
Frequently asked questions about gold in old U.S. gold coins
How much gold is in a $10 gold piece?
0.4838 troy ounce (15.046 g) of pure gold, in a coin weighing 16.718 g.
How much gold is in a $5 gold piece?
0.2419 troy ounce (7.523 g).
How much gold is in a $2.50 gold piece?
0.1209 troy ounce (3.762 g).
Why is U.S. gold coinage .900 fine?
The Coinage Act of 1837 set the standard for U.S. gold and silver coins at nine hundred parts pure metal to one hundred of alloy.
Other coins
The same question for other popular gold coins:
- How Much Gold Is in a $20 Double Eagle?
- How Much Gold Is in a Gold Britannia?
- How Much Gold Is in a Gold Maple Leaf?
- How Much Gold Is in a Krugerrand?
- How Much Gold Is in a Vienna Philharmonic?
- How Much Gold Is in an American Gold Eagle?
For any coin, the content chart lists weight, fineness and sources, and the melt value calculator covers 27 coins at once.
Gold Coins Today publishes general information about coin collecting and precious metals, not financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Articles on this site are drafted with AI assistance (see our editorial policy) and are not written or reviewed by certified numismatists, appraisers, financial advisors or dealers. Coin and bullion values change constantly and depend on condition, authenticity and the current market — get a current appraisal or spot price from a qualified, reputable source before buying or selling, and consult a licensed financial advisor before treating precious metals as part of an investment strategy.