An American Gold Eagle holds exactly the amount of gold named on its size: 1, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/10 troy ounce. The coin itself weighs more than that, because the gold is alloyed with silver and copper. A 1 oz Gold Eagle weighs 33.931 g and contains 31.103 g of gold.
All four sizes
| Size | Face value | Total weight | Fine gold (troy oz) | Fine gold (grams) | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | $50 | 33.931 g | 1.0000 | 31.103 | 32.7 mm |
| 1/2 oz | $25 | 16.966 g | 0.5000 | 15.552 | 27.0 mm |
| 1/4 oz | $10 | 8.483 g | 0.2500 | 7.776 | 22.0 mm |
| 1/10 oz | $5 | 3.393 g | 0.1000 | 3.110 | 16.5 mm |
The total weights, diameters and gold content are written into federal law (31 U.S.C. §5112), and the U.S. Mint reports the alloy as 91.67% gold, 3% silver and the balance copper. The arithmetic checks: 31.1035 g of gold ÷ 33.931 g = 0.9167.
What else is in the coin
Using the Mint’s percentages, a 1 oz Gold Eagle holds about 1.02 g of silver and about 1.81 g of copper next to its 31.103 g of gold. The silver and copper make the coin harder than pure gold, which scratches and dents easily. The 22-karat alloy is a long-established standard for gold coins; our guide to karats and fineness explains what the number means.
Why total weight and gold weight differ
Many buyers expect a 1 oz coin to weigh 31.1 g. A Gold Eagle does not, and the table shows why: the law fixes the gold at one troy ounce and lets the coin be as heavy as the alloy requires. The same logic runs through the four sizes, so the 1/10 oz coin weighs 3.393 g and holds 3.110 g of gold. If you check a Gold Eagle on a scale, 33.93 g for the 1 oz coin is the expected reading, not 31.10 g.
What changed in 2021
The gold content did not change, but the design did. The Mint says coins dated 2021 and later have a refreshed Saint-Gaudens-inspired Liberty and a new eagle-portrait reverse in place of Miley Busiek’s family-of-eagles design (1986-2021), plus added security features. Both types hold the same amount of gold. For the full story read our article on the Gold Eagle’s history and specifications.
The Buffalo is a different coin
The same statute that sets the Gold Eagle’s specifications also authorizes a $50 coin that “weighs 1 ounce” and is 99.99% pure gold: the American Gold Buffalo. It is nearly pure gold, so it has far less alloy than an Eagle.
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 a Gold Eagle
Does a 1 oz American Gold Eagle contain a full ounce of gold?
Yes: one troy ounce of fine gold (31.103 g). The coin weighs more, 33.931 g, because it also contains silver and copper.
Is the American Gold Eagle pure gold?
No. It is 91.67% gold (22 karat), 3% silver and the rest copper, according to the U.S. Mint.
Do 1/10 oz Gold Eagles contain 1/10 oz of gold?
Yes. Each size holds its stated fraction of a troy ounce; the 1/10 oz coin holds 3.110 g of gold in a 3.393 g coin.
Is a 2021 Gold Eagle different in gold content from an older one?
No. The Mint changed the design in 2021 and kept the specifications.
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?
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.