Overview of the 1987 Quarter-Ounce Gold American Eagle

The 1987 quarter-ounce Gold American Eagle is a fractional bullion coin issued by the United States Mint, struck in 22-karat gold at .9167 fineness with a net gold content of 0.25 troy ounces. It carries a $10 face value as official U.S. legal tender, placing it within the long-running American Eagle gold coin series alongside the half-ounce, one-ounce, and tenth-ounce denominations. The coin was struck at the West Point Mint, though no mint mark appears on the coin itself. We carry this coin in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, reflecting the high standard of production quality associated with the United States Mint.

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 public sale. The legislation was intended to give American buyers access to a domestically produced gold coin backed by the full weight, content, and purity guarantee of the U.S. government. The 1987 issue represents the second year of production for the series, a period during which the program was firmly establishing itself as one of the most widely recognized gold bullion series in the world. Gold used in American Eagle coins during this era was sourced entirely from newly mined U.S. gold, a requirement written into the enabling legislation. The West Point facility, which had been operating as a bullion depository, took on an expanded role in the production of these coins as demand grew throughout the late 1980s. The 1987 quarter-ounce issue is part of that foundational chapter in the series and reflects the Mint's early commitment to producing fractional gold coins that could reach a broader segment of buyers.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the 1987 quarter-ounce Gold American Eagle features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' celebrated depiction of Liberty striding forward with a torch held aloft in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The U.S. Capitol building appears in the background, and the inscription "MCMLXXXVII" along the lower rim records the year of issue in Roman numerals rather than Arabic numerals, a design choice used exclusively in the first two years of the series. The composition carries a sense of motion and classical dignity that sets it apart from more static coin designs. 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 sheltering a female and hatchlings. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," the denomination "TEN DOLLARS," the gold content, and the purity are all inscribed on the reverse. The coin's 22-karat alloy, which includes small amounts of copper and silver for durability, gives the surface a warmer tone compared to 24-karat gold coins, while the precision of the strike is clearly evident in the relief detail across both faces.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At a quarter ounce, this coin sits at a practical midpoint within the American Eagle gold lineup, offering meaningful gold content without the full commitment of a one-ounce purchase. For buyers managing a budget or looking to acquire gold incrementally over time, the quarter-ounce format allows for more flexible accumulation than the larger denominations. It also makes it easier to tailor the size of a transaction to current gold prices rather than being constrained to a single large purchase. Fractional coins do typically carry a higher premium per troy ounce than their full-ounce counterparts, a reflection of the fixed per-coin production costs spread across less metal. That trade-off is well understood among experienced buyers, and for many, the flexibility of the smaller size justifies the difference. The 1987 quarter-ounce issue in particular adds a layer of numismatic interest that can make the premium easier to contextualize.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every Gold American Eagle issued by the United States Mint is struck to exacting specifications, with the gold content, weight, and purity guaranteed by the federal government. The 0.25 troy ounce gold content and .9167 fineness are consistent standards that have been maintained throughout the series, and the coins are widely recognized and accepted across the global bullion market based on these guarantees alone. This level of sovereign backing removes much of the verification burden that can accompany privately minted products. We take product integrity seriously across everything we carry. All coins are examined before being made available, and our authorized dealer relationships with both PCGS and NGC give us direct access to professional grading and authentication resources when certification is relevant. The 1987 quarter-ounce American Eagle benefits from both the credibility of the issuing authority and our own commitment to offering products that meet the standards buyers expect.

Condition and Packaging

This coin is offered in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, meaning it has never been used in commerce and retains the sharp strike and original luster from production. BU coins may show minor handling marks from the minting and packaging process, but they have not experienced the wear or contact associated with circulated pieces. For a 1987 issue, finding an example in this condition is desirable among collectors and bullion buyers alike. Individual coins ship in protective plastic flips that guard the surfaces during transit. Quarter-ounce Gold American Eagles are typically packaged by the Mint in tubes of 25 coins, and cases of these coins typically contain 500 coins across 20 tubes. Orders at those respective quantities ship in sealed tubes or sealed cases accordingly. Packaging format is confirmed at the time of order to ensure the coin arrives in appropriate protective condition.

Pricing and Market Factors

The price of this coin is directly tied to the current spot price of gold, with a premium added to account for production costs, mint provenance, distribution, and demand for the specific issue. Quarter-ounce American Eagles generally carry a higher premium per troy ounce than one-ounce coins due to the economics of fractional production, and the 1987 issue adds a degree of collector interest given its position as only the second year of the series and its use of Roman numeral dating. Our pricing reflects live market conditions and is structured to be transparent and straightforward. The bid/ask spread displayed on each product page gives buyers a real-time picture of both the acquisition cost and the expected resale value, so the total cost of ownership is visible before a purchase is made rather than discovered afterward.

Selling and Liquidity

Gold American Eagles are among the most liquid gold coins in the world, recognized and accepted by dealers, banks, and private buyers across virtually every market. The quarter-ounce denomination is slightly less common in everyday bullion transactions than the one-ounce coin, but it remains well recognized and easy to sell when the time comes. Government backing, standardized specifications, and decades of market presence all contribute to its ease of resale. We operate a two-way market, meaning customers can both purchase and sell coins through the same platform at competitive buyback pricing. Considering liquidity before making a purchase is part of how we approach the buying process, and the American Eagle's broad recognition makes it one of the more straightforward coins to price and trade on both sides of the market.

Why Buy the 1987 Quarter-Ounce Gold American Eagle?

The 1987 quarter-ounce Gold American Eagle occupies an interesting position as both a bullion coin and a piece of early American Eagle history. It was struck during only the second year of the program, carries the distinctive Roman numeral date format used only in 1986 and 1987, and comes with the full weight and purity guarantee of the United States government. These characteristics make it relevant to a broader range of buyers than a standard bullion coin might attract. For buyers who want a fractional gold coin with genuine historical context, strong institutional recognition, and a design that still holds up as one of the finest in American coinage, this issue is a compelling option. It combines the accessibility of fractional sizing with the credibility of the American Eagle series and the added distinction of an early-series date.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have built our business around the idea that transparency and trust are not optional in this industry. Since our founding in 2010, we have operated as a straightforward marketplace where pricing reflects real market conditions and customers are not subjected to pressure-based sales tactics or hidden costs. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and our memberships in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect the standards we hold ourselves to on a consistent basis. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we have direct access to the most respected grading and authentication services in the industry. We source products from reputable mints, distributors, and wholesalers, and every product is verified before it reaches a customer. When you purchase a 1987 quarter-ounce Gold American Eagle through us, you are transacting with a dealer that has earned its reputation over more than a decade of principled operation. Our support team is accessible, knowledgeable, and responsive throughout the buying and selling process. We also offer competitive buyback pricing as part of a two-way market model that treats the sell side of the transaction with the same attention as the purchase side.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including fractional gold coins like this 1987 quarter-ounce American Eagle. Rather than relying on static retail prices, Pro members transact at real-time wholesale market prices without additional dealer markups or spreads applied on top. For a coin like this, where both the bullion component and the collector context can influence premium levels, having direct visibility into live wholesale pricing provides a meaningfully clearer picture of what the market is actually doing. Pro also includes real-time portfolio valuation using live wholesale bid pricing, historical premium analysis, bid/ask spread data, and proprietary market intelligence tools that allow members to evaluate this coin against other products in the broader precious metals market. These tools are designed to reduce information asymmetry and help buyers understand pricing dynamics, liquidity characteristics, and market conditions rather than making decisions based on marketing assumptions alone.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a wide range of payment methods to make every transaction 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 supported by a secure transaction environment designed to protect buyer information and ensure reliable order processing from start to fulfillment.