1987 1/10 Oz Gold American Eagle - BU (MCMLXXXVII)

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Product ID: BST-000786A70C

Specifications

Year 1987
Precious Metal Type Gold
Bullion Coin Type Eagle
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Mint Mark W - West Point
Purity 0.9167
Weight 0.1 oz
Thickness (mm) 1.26 mm
Diameter (mm) 16.5 mm
Inner Pack (Quantity) 50
Outer Pack (Quantity) 5000
Grade BU

Product Details

Overview of the 1987 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle

The 1987 Gold American Eagle in the 1/10 troy ounce size is a fractional bullion coin struck by the United States Mint at its West Point facility. Composed of .9167 fine gold with a total weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin contains 0.1 troy ounce of actual gold content and carries legal tender status under United States law. It belongs to one of the most widely traded sovereign gold coin series in the world and is recognized by dealers and buyers across virtually every major market.

This example is graded Brilliant Uncirculated, reflecting a coin that has not been placed into circulation and retains its original mint-produced surface quality. The Roman numeral date MCMLXXXVII identifies the coin's year of issue and is consistent with the dating convention used by the United States Mint on American Eagle coins during the series' early years.

History and Background

The Gold American Eagle series was established by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which authorized the United States Mint to produce gold coins for public sale using gold sourced exclusively from American mines. The first coins struck under this legislatio

Overview of the 1987 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle

The 1987 Gold American Eagle in the 1/10 troy ounce size is a fractional bullion coin struck by the United States Mint at its West Point facility. Composed of .9167 fine gold with a total weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin contains 0.1 troy ounce of actual gold content and carries legal tender status under United States law. It belongs to one of the most widely traded sovereign gold coin series in the world and is recognized by dealers and buyers across virtually every major market.

This example is graded Brilliant Uncirculated, reflecting a coin that has not been placed into circulation and retains its original mint-produced surface quality. The Roman numeral date MCMLXXXVII identifies the coin's year of issue and is consistent with the dating convention used by the United States Mint on American Eagle coins during the series' early years.

History and Background

The Gold American Eagle series was established by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, which authorized the United States Mint to produce gold coins for public sale using gold sourced exclusively from American mines. The first coins struck under this legislation entered the market in 1986, making the 1987 issue part of the program's second full year of production. The series was designed from the outset to give American buyers and international markets a government-backed gold bullion option that could compete with established programs such as the South African Krugerrand and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

West Point, designated with the mint mark "W," became the primary production facility for the Gold American Eagle program and has remained central to its production throughout the series' history. Although the "W" mint mark does not appear on standard bullion strikes from this period, the West Point Mint's role in producing these coins is well documented and consistently acknowledged by the numismatic community. The 1987 issue predates several design refinements introduced in later decades, giving it a particular historical character associated with the program's early formative years.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the Gold American Eagle features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic Walking Liberty design, originally created for the United States double eagle gold coin of 1907. The image depicts Lady Liberty striding forward with confidence, draped in the American flag, her right arm extended and her left arm cradling an olive branch, with the Capitol building visible in the background. The composition is widely regarded as one of the finest works ever produced for American coinage, and its selection for the American Eagle program brought that legacy into the modern bullion era.

The reverse was designed by sculptor Miley Busiek and depicts a family of bald eagles, with a male eagle carrying an olive branch descending toward a nest where a female eagle shields her young. This imagery was chosen to symbolize American values and family. The coin also carries inscriptions identifying the country of issue, denomination, gold weight, and purity, all rendered with the precision characteristic of West Point production. The overall finish on Brilliant Uncirculated strikes from this period reflects clean, well-defined surfaces with full luster across the fields and devices.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin occupies the smallest standard size in the Gold American Eagle lineup, which also includes quarter-ounce, half-ounce, and one-ounce denominations. The reduced size makes the coin more approachable at a lower per-unit cost while still offering full exposure to gold's underlying price movement. Many buyers use fractional sizes to build positions incrementally or to hold pieces in smaller increments that may be more practical for certain transaction scenarios.

The 1/10 oz format is also popular with buyers who prioritize flexibility. Smaller individual units can be easier to work with when selling partial holdings or diversifying across multiple fractional denominations. While the per-ounce premium on fractional coins is generally higher than on full-ounce pieces due to the increased production cost relative to metal content, the 1/10 oz American Eagle maintains strong recognition and consistent market demand that supports its liquidity.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Gold American Eagles are produced under the strict quality controls of the United States Mint, one of the most respected sovereign minting institutions in the world. Each coin is struck to precise weight and purity standards, with the .9167 fine gold composition mandated by federal law and enforced throughout the production process. The coin's legal backing under United States law, combined with the Mint's reputation and the consistency of the American Eagle program, makes authenticity verification straightforward for experienced dealers and grading services alike.

We carry American Eagle coins through reputable channels and verify each product for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches our customers. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we also support buyers who wish to submit coins for third-party professional grading, which adds an additional layer of certified authenticity documentation for those who prefer it.

Condition and Packaging

Brilliant Uncirculated describes a coin that has not been placed into general circulation and retains the original mint luster produced during the striking process. On early American Eagle issues like this 1987 example, BU coins typically exhibit full cartwheel luster across both fields with well-defined devices and no signs of wear. Minor handling marks from the minting and packaging process can occasionally be present, as BU coins of this era were not handled with the same level of care applied to Proof or specially struck collector pieces.

Individual coins ship in a protective plastic flip to preserve their surfaces during transit. The standard tube for 1/10 oz Gold American Eagles holds 50 coins, and buyers purchasing a full tube will receive coins packaged accordingly. Larger quantities ship in sealed boxes consistent with United States Mint packaging standards. Whatever the quantity ordered, packaging is designed to protect the coin's surfaces and condition from point of purchase through delivery.

Pricing and Market Factors

The price of this coin moves in direct relationship to the spot price of gold, with a premium applied above that spot value to reflect the coin's production cost, sovereign status, and market demand. Fractional gold coins carry a higher per-ounce premium than full-ounce equivalents, a reflection of the greater relative cost of striking smaller pieces. The 1987 date adds a layer of collector interest that can further influence pricing depending on current demand from numismatists seeking specific dates within the American Eagle series.

Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured to provide clarity at the point of purchase. The bid/ask spread displayed on our product page evolves with market conditions, giving buyers a more complete view of the true cost of ownership rather than focusing on the headline price alone. Understanding the relationship between acquisition cost and expected resale value is central to how we think about pricing transparency.

Selling and Liquidity

Gold American Eagles are among the most liquid gold coins in the world. The 1/10 oz denomination is recognized by dealers, banks, and private buyers in virtually every market where gold is actively traded, and the United States Mint's backing ensures that weight and purity are beyond question to any informed buyer. The 1987 date, while representing an early issue within the series, trades primarily on its metal content and recognized status rather than significant numismatic premiums in most secondary market transactions.

We operate a two-way market, meaning customers can both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform using competitive buyback pricing. Evaluating a coin's liquidity before the purchase is made, rather than only at the point of sale, is a practice we actively encourage. The bid/ask spread visible on our product pages is one of the clearest indicators of how efficiently a given product trades in current market conditions.

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

This coin combines the institutional credibility of United States Mint production with the accessibility of the fractional format. As a government-issued legal tender coin with a mandated gold purity and weight, it carries a level of market recognition that few privately minted alternatives can match. Buyers who prefer sovereign gold over rounds or bars often cite the American Eagle's standardized specifications and government backing as key factors in their preference.

The 1987 issue adds a specific date character to what is otherwise a widely available bullion product. For buyers building date sets within the American Eagle series, this early issue fills a meaningful position. For those focused primarily on gold content, the coin delivers a recognized and liquid fractional holding in one of the most established bullion programs ever produced by the United States government.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We built our platform around the idea that buying and selling physical precious metals should be straightforward, transparent, and supported by accurate information at every step. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions, and the bid/ask spread visible on each product page is designed to give buyers a complete picture of what they are paying and what they can expect when it is time to sell. That level of clarity is central to how we operate, not an afterthought added to the checkout process.

Our reputation is grounded in accountability. We maintain an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, hold active memberships in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and carry authorized dealer status with PCGS and NGC. We source products from reputable mints, refineries, wholesalers, and distributors, and each product is verified for authenticity, weight, and purity before it reaches a customer. Every aspect of the experience, from order placement through fulfillment and post-purchase support, is designed with long-term customer confidence in mind rather than short-term transaction volume.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a broad range of precious metals products, including fractional gold coins like this 1987 American Eagle. Rather than displaying indicative or delayed prices, the platform is built around real-time executable pricing that reflects actual supply and demand conditions within the wholesale market. Members can evaluate premiums, bid/ask spreads, and liquidity metrics for this specific coin alongside comparable fractional gold products, making it easier to assess relative value using objective data rather than marketing claims.

Portfolio valuation through Pro uses live wholesale bid pricing rather than estimated retail values, giving members a more realistic view of what their holdings are worth at any given moment. Historical premium analysis and proprietary market intelligence tools round out the platform's capabilities, helping members track how premiums on early American Eagle dates have moved over time and where current pricing stands relative to historical norms. For buyers who want to approach physical gold with the same analytical rigor typically reserved for other financial assets, Pro provides the tools to do exactly that.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a wide range of payment methods to make the buying process as convenient and secure as possible. Customers can pay using major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each payment option is processed with security and transaction integrity in mind, and our checkout experience is designed to give buyers confidence at every stage of the purchase.

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