As a result of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, the American Gold Eagle became the official gold bullion coin of the US. The Gold Eagles are guaranteed by the US government to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces, and this gold must come from sources within the US. With 2003 looking like it would continue the rise in the price of gold, the US Mint increased their production of all 4 denominations of the 2003 American Gold Eagle coins. The 1/2 oz Gold Eagles did see the smallest increase over 2002 mintage numbers, increasing from 70,027 in 2002 to 79,029 in 2003. Currently, JM Bullion has the 2003 1/2 oz American Gold Eagle Coin available for purchase.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a protective plastic flip!
- 18th year of the American Gold Eagle coin series!
- Contains 1/2 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- Possesses a face value of $25 (USD) fully backed by the US government.
- Lady Liberty is featured on the obverse.
- A family of eagles is featured on the reverse.
The obverse of the 2003 American Gold Eagle coin features the full-length figure of Lady Liberty created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Lady Liberty is walking directly at you as you look at the coin. Her hair is flowing behind her. In her outstretched right hand is a torch and she is holding an olive branch in her left hand. At the bottom of the coin, to the left of her right foot, is a depiction of the Capitol building.
The reverse of the 2003 American Gold Eagle coin features a male eagle, carrying an olive branch, flying towards a nest with a female eagle and a couple of eaglets. This design was created by Miley Busiek and sculpted by Sherl J. Winter. It includes several inscriptions as well.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned new designs for US coins, as he felt they had become artistically stale. He was able to retain the skills of Augustus Saint-Gaudens to create a design that would rival the ancient Greek and Roman coins. Saint-Gaudens accepted the invitation and created the Lady Liberty designs that appeared on the Eagle ($10) and the Double Eagle ($20) gold coins. It is a version of this Lady Liberty that now appears on the American Gold Eagle coin.
Beginning in 2001, the price of gold began to climb. In 2002, it surpassed the $300 per ounce barrier. In 2003, it crossed the $400 per ounce barrier. After starting 2003 at $343.80 per ounce, it finished the year at $416.25 per ounce, an increase of over 21%.
If you have any questions about the Gold Eagle coins, please contact our JM Bullion Customer Service team, as we will be happy to help. We can be reached via phone at 800-276-6508, via our live chat, or via our email.