Eagle (coin) - Definition and Overview

Eagle: retired $10-based denomination of a series of gold coins

Eagle was the largest of the four United States circulating monetary denomination base-names: cent, dime, dollar, eagle. The eagle was denominated as 10 dollars in gold. Thus, quarter eagles were $2.50 in gold; half eagles were $5.00 in gold; double eagles were $20.00 in gold.

Quarter eagles were issued for circulation by the United States Mint from 1796 until 1907; half eagles from 1795 until 1929; eagles from 1795 to 1933; double eagles from 1850 to 1933, although for each of these ranges of years there were occasional gaps in production. The diameter of quarter eagles was 17 mm; of half eagles 21 mm; of eagles 27 mm; and of double eagles 34 mm. The purity of all circulating gold coins in the United States was 90% gold or .900 fine, which is equivalent to 21.6 karats. The weight of quarter eagles was 64.5 troy grains (4.18 g); of half eagles 129 troy grains (8.36 g); of eagles 258 troy grains (16.72 g); of double eagles 516 troy grains (1.075 troy ounces or 33.44 g).

American eagle: silver, gold, and platinum bullion

The United States' circulating eagle denomination from the late 18th century to first third of the 20th century should not be confused with the bullion and collector coins named "American Eagle" which are manufactured from silver since 1986 or gold since 1987 or platinum since 1997.