Overview of the 1987 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle

The 1987 Gold American Eagle in the 1/10 oz fractional size is a government-issued bullion coin struck by the United States Mint at its West Point facility. Composed of .9167 fine gold and weighing one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin carries a face value of five dollars and holds legal tender status under United States law. This particular example has been certified MS69 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, placing it among the finest surviving specimens from its year of issue. We carry authenticated, graded examples for collectors and buyers who prioritize condition alongside metal content.

History and Background

The Gold American Eagle program launched in 1986 following the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which authorized the United States Mint to produce gold coins for public sale. The program was introduced in part to compete with internationally recognized gold bullion coins such as the South African Krugerrand and the Canadian Maple Leaf, giving American buyers a domestically produced alternative backed by the federal government. From the outset, the series was offered in four sizes: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce. The 1987 issue represents the second year of production for the series, a period when the program was still establishing its foothold in the global bullion market. West Point served as the primary production facility for the Gold Eagle series throughout this era, though the mintmark was not displayed on coins until 1992. The absence of a mintmark on 1987 issues is characteristic of the period and is consistent with how the series was produced at the time.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the Gold American Eagle draws directly from Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic Liberty design, originally created for the 1907 Double Eagle gold coin. The central figure depicts Liberty striding forward, torch raised in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with the United States Capitol building visible in the background and rays of sunlight radiating across the field. The design is widely regarded as one of the most artistically accomplished in American coinage history, and its use on the Gold Eagle series connects the modern program to that legacy. The reverse features a family of eagles designed by sculptor Miley Busiek, showing a male eagle carrying an olive branch as it approaches a nest sheltering a female eagle and hatchlings. The composition was created specifically for the Gold Eagle series and has remained consistent since the program's inception. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," the coin's weight and purity, and the face value appear across both sides, completing the coin's formal identity. At the MS69 grade level, the coin exhibits virtually flawless surfaces with sharp, full strike detail and only the most minor imperfections permitted under NGC's grading standards. The visual quality of a coin at this grade reflects the precision of the original minting process and the care with which it was handled before certification.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

The 1/10 oz format makes the Gold American Eagle one of the more accessible entry points within the series for buyers who want direct exposure to physical gold without committing to the cost of a full ounce. At roughly one-tenth the gold content of the standard one-ounce coin, it allows for smaller, more targeted purchases and fits naturally into a varied physical holdings strategy alongside larger denominations. The smaller format also makes individual pieces easier to handle, store, and present, which is particularly relevant for graded coins in slabs. Because of their smaller size and the premium that certified coins command, 1/10 oz Gold Eagles in high grades tend to carry a proportionally larger premium over spot than their full-ounce counterparts. Buyers should factor that dynamic into their decision, understanding that the numismatic value of an MS69-certified example contributes meaningfully to the total price.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

NGC is one of the two leading third-party grading services in the numismatic industry, and we hold authorized dealer status with both NGC and PCGS. Each coin certified by NGC undergoes expert examination by professional numismatists who assess strike quality, surface preservation, and overall eye appeal before assigning a grade. The resulting slab is tamper-evident and includes a certification number that can be verified directly through NGC's online registry. For this 1987 issue, the MS69 designation confirms that the coin has passed through that authentication process and met the strict criteria required to reach that grade level. The coin's gold content of .9167 fine, established by the Gold Bullion Coin Act and maintained throughout the Eagle series, is guaranteed by the United States Mint. That guarantee, combined with NGC's independent third-party certification, provides buyers with a layered foundation of authentication that distinguishes graded coins from raw bullion.

Condition and Packaging

An NGC MS69 grade places this coin at the near-perfect end of the Sheldon scale. Coins at this grade level display full, sharp strike detail with the overwhelming majority of their original mint luster intact. NGC permits only the faintest, most inconsequential contact marks at this grade, and even those must be located in areas that do not detract from the coin's overall visual appeal. The difference between MS69 and the theoretically perfect MS70 is extremely subtle, and MS69 coins are widely sought by collectors who want exceptional quality without the premium associated with the highest possible grade. Certified coins are delivered in NGC's standard hard plastic slab, which encases the coin securely and displays the grade, certification number, and coin identification on the label. The slab itself protects the coin from handling and environmental exposure. Individual coins are shipped in protective packaging appropriate for graded numismatic items, designed to ensure the slab arrives without damage.

Pricing and Market Factors

The base price of any Gold American Eagle is anchored to the spot price of gold, with the coin's .1 troy ounce gold content serving as the starting point. From there, the premium reflects a combination of factors: the government-backed issuance and high name recognition of the series, the fractional format's inherently higher per-ounce cost, and the additional value assigned to the NGC MS69 certification. Graded coins occupy a different pricing tier than raw bullion because condition is a discrete variable, and the market for certified numismatic pieces operates somewhat differently than the broader bullion market. Our pricing reflects real-time spot conditions and is structured around transparency rather than layered complexity. The bid/ask spread displayed on our product page provides a clear picture of both the current acquisition cost and the expected resale framework, giving buyers a more complete understanding of the total cost of ownership.

Selling and Liquidity

The Gold American Eagle is one of the most recognized and widely traded gold coins in the world, which contributes to its liquidity in resale environments. The 1/10 oz size is a standard denomination within the series, and the NGC MS69 grade adds a layer of market identity that can support demand from collectors as well as bullion-focused buyers. Certified coins generally trade within a community of buyers who value the third-party authentication and the assurance of independently confirmed condition. We operate a two-way market that supports both buying and selling, and customers looking to liquidate Gold Eagle holdings can do so within our platform using competitive buyback pricing. Understanding the resale side of the transaction before purchasing is something we actively encourage, and our pricing tools are designed to make that evaluation straightforward.

Why Buy the 1987 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle?

The combination of government issuance, recognizable design, and NGC MS69 certification makes this a well-defined product with clear market identity. For buyers interested in certified Gold Eagles, the 1987 date is part of the early production run of the series, adding a degree of historical specificity that more recent dates do not carry. The coin's near-perfect grade means it represents the upper tier of what exists for this date and denomination without reaching the extreme scarcity of MS70, which can make pricing more difficult to evaluate. The 1/10 oz size also offers genuine flexibility. It functions equally well as a standalone certified coin for a type or date collection and as a fractional gold holding for someone building a diversified stack across multiple denominations. The NGC slab provides tamper-evident protection and eliminates the authentication uncertainty that can affect raw coins from the secondary market.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have operated as a nationally recognized precious metals marketplace since 2010, and our approach has consistently prioritized transparency, authenticity, and straightforward transactions over high-pressure sales tactics. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau reflects a long track record of delivering on those commitments. Membership in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflects our engagement with the broader numismatic and bullion communities, and our authorized dealer status with both NGC and PCGS means we are equipped to accurately represent and handle graded coins like this one. Every graded product we offer can be verified through the grading service's online registry, and our pricing is structured to be transparent at every stage of the transaction. We believe buyers deserve clear information, consistent pricing, and a platform that supports both the purchase and the eventual sale with equal care.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a wide range of precious metals products, including certified coins like this 1987 1/10 oz Gold Eagle. Rather than relying on indicative or static pricing, Pro members transact directly at wholesale market prices that reflect real-time supply and demand, without the additional dealer markups applied in the traditional retail model. For graded coins where premiums can shift with market conditions and collector demand, having access to current wholesale pricing provides meaningful context for evaluating the cost of entry. Beyond pricing, Pro includes real-time portfolio valuation using live wholesale bid prices, giving members a more accurate picture of current liquidation value than standard retail estimates provide. Proprietary analytics tools also allow members to evaluate products across dimensions such as premium history, bid/ask spread tightness, and liquidity, helping buyers develop a clearer understanding of how a specific product is trading within the broader market before committing to a purchase.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make the buying and selling process as convenient and secure as possible. Customers can complete purchases using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal for added buyer flexibility. Bank-connected payments through Plaid allow for direct account transfers, while wire transfer and paper check remain available for buyers who prefer traditional options. Cryptocurrency payments are also accepted through BitPay for those who prefer digital currency transactions. Each method is supported by a secure transaction environment designed to protect both the buyer and the integrity of the order.