Overview of 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set NGC PF70

The 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set is a professionally graded presentation pairing two denominations from the American Gold Eagle proof series, certified at the highest possible grade of PF70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company. Each coin carries legal tender status issued by the United States Mint and is struck in 22-karat gold, with the specific weights represented in the set corresponding to denominations from the original proof lineup established in 1986. NGC's PF70 designation confirms that both coins are indistinguishable from perfect, with no post-production imperfections detectable under standard examination. We offer this set as a complete, certified package for those seeking the 1987 proof issue in its finest attainable state.

History and Background

The American Gold Eagle program was authorized under the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production in 1986, making 1987 the second year of issue for the series. The United States Mint produced both bullion and proof versions from the outset, with proof coinage struck at the West Point Mint and intended for collectors rather than general circulation. The proof program offered the full denominations in the series, including fractional sizes, giving collectors the option to acquire individual coins or sets representing multiple weights. The 1987 proof year is notable for a transition in the series. The five-coin proof set initially planned for 1987 was not completed, with only two denominations produced for that year's proof program, making the two-coin format the definitive presentation for 1987 rather than a subset of a larger offering. That production reality gives the 1987 set a distinct identity within the broader Gold Eagle proof chronology and makes it a recognized stopping point for date set collectors focused on early-year issues.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the American Gold Eagle draws from Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic design originally used on the $20 Double Eagle gold coin from the early 20th century. It depicts Lady Liberty in full stride, torch raised in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with the Capitol building visible in the background and rays of sunlight extending across the field. The composition is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished designs in American coinage history, and its use on the Gold Eagle connects the modern series directly to that numismatic tradition. The reverse, designed by Miley Busiek, features a family of American bald eagles rendered in a naturalistic nest scene. A male eagle carries an olive branch as it returns to the nest, where a female shields hatchlings. The design conveys permanence and national symbolism without relying on heraldic formality. On proof strikes, the contrast between the frosted sculptural elements and the mirror-polished fields produces a cameo effect that is particularly pronounced on PF70-graded examples, where the surface is entirely free of contact marks, hairlines, or distractions.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

NGC certification provides direct verification of both the authenticity and the grade of each coin in this set. The PF70 designation represents the top of NGC's grading scale and confirms that both strikes are flawless under the standards applied during professional examination. Each coin is encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder that preserves its condition and makes the certification details immediately visible, including the coin's date, denomination, and grade. We are an authorized dealer for NGC, which allows us to offer certified products with full confidence in their grading provenance. The encapsulated format eliminates the need for independent authentication at the point of purchase, and the certification data is verifiable directly through NGC's online registry. For a set of this nature, where the grade is central to its identity and value, the integrity of the certification holder is as important as the coins themselves.

Condition and Packaging

PF70 is the highest grade NGC assigns to any proof coin, indicating a strike that is technically perfect with no post-production flaws visible under standard examination conditions. For the 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set, this grade applies to both coins in the pair, confirming that the cameo contrast, surface integrity, and detail quality meet the most exacting standards NGC applies. A PF70 designation on a two-coin set is significantly less common than on individual pieces, as both coins must independently meet that threshold. Each coin is housed in an individual NGC slab, and the two-coin set is presented together as a matched certified pair. Because these are graded, slabbed numismatic items rather than raw bullion, packaging is determined by the encapsulation itself. The NGC holders provide long-term protection without any further intervention, and the set arrives ready for display, storage, or addition to a certified collection. No additional handling or rehousing is required upon receipt.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for certified proof Gold Eagles reflects several layered inputs beyond the current gold spot price. The gold content itself carries a base cost tied to live market pricing, but PF70-graded examples from the early years of the American Gold Eagle series trade at premiums that reflect rarity, certification quality, collector demand, and date significance. The 1987 issue carries additional weight given its limited two-coin proof format, which is specific to that year's production run. Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and accounts for both the intrinsic metal value and the numismatic premium that a PF70-graded, early-issue certified set commands in the current market. Understanding the spread between acquisition cost and current wholesale bid pricing gives buyers a more complete picture of true ownership cost, and we display that relationship directly on our product pages to support informed purchasing decisions.

Selling and Liquidity

American Gold Eagles are among the most widely recognized gold coins in the world, and certified proof examples from the series trade in both the numismatic and precious metals markets. PF70-graded coins from early-issue years have an established collector audience and appear regularly in professional coin auctions, dealer inventories, and certified coin trading platforms. The NGC holder and grade make the product universally identifiable without requiring additional evaluation at the point of resale. We operate a two-way market that supports both purchasing and selling within the same platform, which is directly relevant for buyers who want to understand resale options before committing to a purchase. Liquidity for certified numismatic products can be more variable than for standard bullion, and understanding the market for early-issue proof Gold Eagles, including collector demand patterns and premium history, is part of making a well-informed acquisition decision. Our platform is designed to provide that kind of market context rather than leaving buyers to assemble it independently.

Why Buy the 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set NGC PF70?

The 1987 issue holds a specific place in the Gold Eagle proof chronology that distinguishes it from other early-series dates. Because only two denominations were produced for that year's proof program, the two-coin format is not a partial set but the complete authorized offering for 1987, making it the correct configuration for anyone building a date run of the series. That production context is meaningful for collectors working through the early issues systematically. PF70 certification on both pieces adds a layer of distinction that separates this set from uncertified or lower-grade examples. For buyers focused on assembling the highest-quality representation of each proof year, a matched PF70 pair from 1987 is the appropriate standard. The combination of date significance, certification quality, and the historical design tied to Saint-Gaudens' work makes this a purposeful acquisition rather than a generic precious metals purchase.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We are an authorized dealer for both NGC and PCGS, which positions us to handle and offer certified products with a clear understanding of grading standards, holder integrity, and numismatic market context. 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 long-term commitment to operating with professionalism and transparency across every transaction. Our pricing is structured around real-time market data rather than static markups, and we display bid/ask spreads directly on product pages so buyers can evaluate the full cost of ownership rather than the purchase price alone. For certified numismatic products like this 1987 two-coin set, that transparency is particularly relevant given the premium layers involved. Our goal is to give buyers the information they need to make a confident, informed decision, not to pressure a sale.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro provides members with access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including certified numismatic products where premiums and spreads can vary significantly from standard bullion. For a graded set like the 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set, Pro members gain direct visibility into real-time wholesale pricing conditions, which helps contextualize the premium paid above spot and evaluate current market positioning without relying on marketing claims or estimated values. Portfolio valuation through Pro uses live wholesale bid pricing rather than retail estimates, giving members a realistic picture of current liquidation value across their holdings. Proprietary analytics tools, including premium history and spread analysis, allow members to evaluate how certified products like early-issue proof Gold Eagles have traded over time relative to their gold content value, supporting more informed decisions at every stage of ownership.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a wide range of payment methods to ensure that purchasing a certified product like the 1987 Proof Gold Eagle Two Coin Set NGC PF70 is straightforward and secure from start to finish. Accepted payment options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, along with PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Every transaction is processed with security as a priority, and the range of payment options is designed to accommodate different buyer preferences without introducing unnecessary friction. Whether you prefer a traditional bank transfer or a digital payment method, the checkout process is built to be clear, reliable, and consistently supported by our customer service team.