Overview of the 1987 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle $5

The 1987 Gold American Eagle in the 1/10 oz fractional size represents one of the most recognized government-issued gold coins in the world, produced by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Struck in 22-karat gold at .9167 fine purity with a total gold content of one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin carries a nominal five-dollar face value and is legal tender under United States law. This particular example has been certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) at MS70, the highest possible grade on the Sheldon scale, denoting a perfectly struck coin with no post-production imperfections visible under five-times magnification. We carry NGC-certified examples like this one because third-party grading adds a meaningful layer of authentication and condition verification that benefits both serious collectors and buyers who value documented provenance. An MS70 grade on any coin is exceptional; on a 1987 issue, it reflects a piece that has survived decades without a single trace of wear, contact, or environmental compromise.

History and Background

The Gold American Eagle series launched in 1986 following the passage of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which authorized the United States Mint to produce gold bullion coins for the first time since the country abandoned the gold standard. The program was designed to give American buyers a domestically produced gold coin backed by the federal government, with gold sourced exclusively from newly mined American deposits. The series debuted in four denominations: one ounce, half ounce, quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce, making it one of the most complete fractional gold programs offered by any sovereign mint. The 1987 issue marks the second year of production for the series, a period when the program was still establishing itself in the marketplace. West Point, while not always prominently marked on early coins, served as the primary production facility for Gold Eagles throughout this era. The "W" mint mark was eventually adopted more formally, but its presence or absence on early issues like the 1987 does not diminish the coin's origin or standing.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the Gold American Eagle features a rendering of Liberty adapted from Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic 1907 design, originally created for the $20 double eagle gold coin. Liberty strides forward with a torch raised in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, set against a backdrop of the sun's rays and the Capitol building. The design conveys forward motion and national confidence, and it remains one of the most celebrated coin designs in American numismatic history. The reverse, designed by sculptor Miley Busiek, depicts a family of bald eagles with a male eagle carrying an olive branch returning to a nest where a female shields her eaglets. The imagery emphasizes American national identity and was chosen to complement the classical tone of the obverse. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," the denomination, gold content, and purity, all rendered with the precision expected from a United States Mint issue. On an MS70-certified example, every element of both designs appears in flawless condition. The strike is sharp throughout, the fields are free of contact marks, and the luster is fully intact, characteristics that make this coin stand apart from typical circulated or even uncirculated examples that fall short of the perfect grade.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin occupies the smallest denomination in the Gold American Eagle series and appeals to buyers who want direct gold exposure without committing to a full-ounce purchase. The lower acquisition cost relative to larger denominations makes it practical for building a position gradually or for buyers who prefer to hold gold in smaller, more divisible units. The 1/10 oz format also has practical advantages when it comes to partial liquidation. Rather than selling a full ounce at once, owners of fractional coins can sell individual pieces as needed, which offers a level of flexibility that larger denominations cannot provide. That said, smaller coins typically carry a higher premium per ounce than their full-size counterparts, a factor worth factoring into any buying decision.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every 1987 Gold American Eagle was produced under the strict standards of the United States Mint, with gold content, weight, and purity guaranteed by the federal government. The one-tenth ounce denomination contains exactly 0.1000 oz of gold at .9167 fine purity, specifications that have remained consistent throughout the life of the series. The total coin weight is slightly higher due to the silver and copper alloy used to enhance durability, a deliberate engineering choice that distinguishes the Gold Eagle's composition from purer 24-karat alternatives. This particular coin carries the NGC MS70 certification, which means it has been examined, authenticated, and encapsulated by one of the two most respected third-party grading services in the numismatic industry. We are an authorized NGC dealer, and we handle all certified coins with care throughout our fulfillment process. The tamper-evident NGC holder protects both the coin and the grade designation, ensuring the condition at certification is maintained through delivery.

Condition and Packaging

MS70 is the pinnacle of the Sheldon grading scale and indicates a coin that is, by the standards of the grading service, absolutely perfect. No contact marks, hairlines, planchet flaws, or striking deficiencies are present anywhere on the coin's surface. For a coin dated 1987, achieving this grade requires exceptional original handling from the moment of production through submission and encapsulation. MS70 coins from early Eagle issues are genuinely scarce, and examples certified at this level are far less common than those grading MS69 or below. Because this coin is encapsulated in an NGC slab, it ships in its protective holder regardless of quantity. The rigid, tamper-evident plastic enclosure serves as both a display case and a protective shell. No additional handling or rehousing is necessary, and the holder itself provides clear visibility of both obverse and reverse surfaces without exposing the coin to environmental contact.

Pricing and Market Factors

The base value of any Gold American Eagle is anchored to the current spot price of gold, scaled to its fractional gold content. For the 1/10 oz size, that means the intrinsic metal value is one-tenth of the prevailing spot price. From there, the premium above spot reflects the coin's denomination, production costs, and ongoing market demand for fractional gold. The NGC MS70 certification adds a meaningful numismatic premium on top of the standard bullion premium. The combination of a scarce perfect-grade example from a second-year issue and the authentication provided by NGC supports pricing that moves beyond pure metal content. Market demand for early-year MS70-certified Gold Eagles can fluctuate based on collector interest, available certified populations, and broader conditions in both the numismatic and bullion markets. Our pricing reflects real-time conditions and is structured to provide clarity without artificial inflation.

Selling and Liquidity

Gold American Eagles are among the most widely recognized and actively traded gold coins in the world, which creates a broad and established secondary market. The 1/10 oz denomination is liquid by bullion standards, though fractional coins tend to attract both bullion buyers and collectors, which can affect resale dynamics compared to full-ounce issues. The NGC MS70 grade adds a collector-focused dimension to the coin's market profile, and perfect-grade examples often command meaningful premiums above the standard secondary market price for ungraded examples. We operate as a two-way market, meaning customers can sell coins back to us at competitive buyback pricing. Understanding the relationship between what you pay at acquisition and what the coin can return at sale gives a more complete picture of true cost of ownership, a principle that guides how we present pricing and spread information across our platform.

Why Buy the 1987 1/10 oz Gold Eagle $5 NGC MS70?

This coin combines several attributes that are difficult to find in a single product. It is a government-issued gold coin with a federally guaranteed metal content, struck at the West Point facility in the second year of one of the most recognized bullion series ever produced by the United States Mint. The NGC MS70 certification confirms a perfect specimen with no compromise to its original struck condition, and the early date adds a degree of numismatic scarcity that later-year issues do not carry in the same way. For buyers drawn to both gold ownership and the numismatic aspect of collecting, this coin represents a meaningful intersection of the two. The 1/10 oz fractional format reduces the per-coin commitment while still offering all the institutional backing and recognition of the full Gold Eagle series. Whether held as part of a broader metals position or as a standalone certified piece, the 1987 MS70 is a substantive and well-defined product.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have been operating as a trusted precious metals dealer since 2010, and our approach has always been built around transparency rather than pressure. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to give buyers a clear understanding of what they are paying and why. We display bid and ask spreads directly on product pages so customers can evaluate both sides of the transaction before committing. As an authorized NGC dealer, we are positioned to handle and sell certified coins with full confidence in their authenticity and grading. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and active membership in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect a consistent standard of professionalism that customers can verify independently. Every product we sell is authenticated before it reaches a buyer, and our fulfillment process is designed to ensure that condition is preserved from our warehouse to your door. We are committed to being a resource, not just a storefront. Whether you have questions about this coin's grade, its history within the Eagle series, or how it compares to other certified examples in our catalog, our team is available to help. We believe that well-informed buyers are better buyers, and that a straightforward, knowledge-driven experience leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members direct access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing on products like this 1987 Gold Eagle NGC MS70, making it easier to evaluate whether the current premium reflects fair market conditions before purchasing. Rather than relying on static retail pricing, Pro members see pricing that moves with real wholesale market activity, providing a transparent benchmark for both acquisition and resale decisions. Pro also includes real-time portfolio valuation based on current wholesale bid prices, along with proprietary tools for analyzing premiums, bid/ask spreads, and liquidity metrics across the broader certified and bullion coin market. For buyers managing a position that includes NGC-certified Gold Eagles, this kind of data-driven context makes it easier to understand how a coin like this one is priced relative to comparable examples and what factors are influencing its market premium at any given time.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make the purchasing process straightforward and secure. Customers can pay using major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as PayPal for added convenience. Bank-connected payments are available through Plaid, and we also accept wire transfers and paper checks for buyers who prefer those methods. Cryptocurrency payments are processed through BitPay for those who prefer digital currency transactions. Every payment method is handled with the same commitment to security and reliability that defines the rest of our platform. Whether you are making a first purchase or adding to an existing position, the transaction process is designed to be simple, protected, and straightforward from start to finish.