The 1996 Gold American Eagle $5 is a fractional sovereign coin produced by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Struck in 22-karat gold with a purity of .9167 and a weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, it carries legal tender status under United States law with a face value of five dollars. This example has been graded MS70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, representing a perfect mint state grade with no detectable flaws under standard numismatic examination.
We carry certified examples of this coin as part of our broader selection of graded United States gold coinage. The NGC MS70 designation places this piece at the top of the grading scale, making it among the most pristine examples of its issue year.
The Gold American Eagle series was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production in 1986. It marked the United States Mint's return to producing gold coins for public ownership following restrictions that had been in place for decades. The West Point Mint, designated with a "W" mintmark that does not appear on the coin itself, became the primary production facilit
…The 1996 Gold American Eagle $5 is a fractional sovereign coin produced by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Struck in 22-karat gold with a purity of .9167 and a weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, it carries legal tender status under United States law with a face value of five dollars. This example has been graded MS70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, representing a perfect mint state grade with no detectable flaws under standard numismatic examination.
We carry certified examples of this coin as part of our broader selection of graded United States gold coinage. The NGC MS70 designation places this piece at the top of the grading scale, making it among the most pristine examples of its issue year.
The Gold American Eagle series was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production in 1986. It marked the United States Mint's return to producing gold coins for public ownership following restrictions that had been in place for decades. The West Point Mint, designated with a "W" mintmark that does not appear on the coin itself, became the primary production facility for the series.
The 1996 issue holds particular significance within the series. Gold Eagle mintages during the mid-1990s were considerably lower than those produced in later years, and the 1/10 oz denomination from 1996 is recognized as one of the lower-mintage dates in the series. This scarcity, combined with perfect third-party certification, contributes to the coin's standing among date-specific collectors and set builders.
Since its introduction, the American Gold Eagle has become one of the most widely recognized gold coins in the world, underpinned by the full faith and backing of the United States government and the Mint's long-standing production standards.
The obverse of the Gold American Eagle features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic depiction of Lady Liberty striding forward, torch raised in her right hand and olive branch in her left, with the United States Capitol visible in the background. The design is adapted from Saint-Gaudens' celebrated 1907 double eagle and remains one of the most artistically praised coin designs in American numismatic history. The date appears in Roman numerals on certain early issues, though later strikes transitioned to Arabic numerals.
The reverse was designed by Miley Busiek and depicts a male eagle carrying an olive branch descending toward a nest where a female eagle and hatchlings rest below. This imagery reflects American symbolism tied to family and national strength. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and the weight and purity designations appear within the composition.
An MS70 example will exhibit fully struck detail with no contact marks, hairlines, or surface disturbances of any kind. The luster across the relief elements and fields should be entirely undisturbed, reflecting the highest standard of production quality achievable for this issue.
At one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin occupies the smallest denomination in the standard Gold American Eagle lineup. That compact size lowers the per-unit acquisition cost relative to the one-ounce version, making it a practical choice for those looking to acquire certified gold in smaller increments without committing to a full ounce at current market prices.
Fractional gold also has practical advantages in terms of handling and flexibility. Smaller denominations allow for more granular decisions when it comes to managing a physical gold position, and recognized sovereign fractional coins tend to carry broad market familiarity that supports their usability across different buying and selling environments.
This coin has been authenticated, graded, and encapsulated by NGC, one of the two leading third-party grading services in the numismatic industry. NGC's certification process includes independent verification of the coin's authenticity, metal composition, and surface condition, with the resulting grade assigned by professional numismatists using established standards. The coin is sealed within a tamper-evident NGC holder that protects the surfaces while keeping the coin visible for examination.
We are an authorized NGC dealer, which means we stand behind the integrity of the graded products we carry. The combination of United States Mint production standards and NGC certification provides a reliable, independently verified record of this coin's authenticity and condition. No additional testing or verification is required at the point of purchase.
MS70, or Mint State Perfect, is the highest grade attainable on the 70-point Sheldon scale. A coin graded MS70 by NGC has been determined to have no post-production imperfections visible under 5x magnification. Every design element is fully struck, the fields are clean and unbroken, and the luster is completely intact. For a 1996 issue with a low mintage, an NGC MS70 example represents a coin that survived production, handling, and storage without any detectable compromise to its surfaces.
This coin ships in its original NGC slab, which provides both physical protection and clear display of the grade and certification details. The holder is designed to protect the coin's surfaces from contact during storage and transit. If you are purchasing multiple certified coins, each piece will arrive individually slabbed and protected according to NGC packaging standards.
The base price of this coin reflects the current spot price of gold multiplied by its one-tenth ounce gold content. Beyond the metal value, the premium on a certified MS70 example incorporates the cost of NGC grading, the relative scarcity of a 1996-dated 1/10 oz Gold Eagle in perfect condition, and the demand that exists among collectors building date-specific or registry-quality sets.
Premiums on low-mintage, perfect-grade coins can expand or contract based on collector demand, the availability of comparable certified examples, and broader market conditions. Our pricing reflects current market dynamics and is structured to remain consistent with observable wholesale and retail benchmarks for this specific date and grade combination.
Gold American Eagles are among the most liquid government-issued gold coins in the world, and graded examples from NGC carry additional recognizability within the collector market. The MS70 designation and low 1996 mintage give this piece a defined market niche beyond standard bullion liquidity. Buyers in the numismatic and registry set communities actively seek certified, date-specific examples in top grades.
We operate a two-way market, meaning you can both purchase and sell precious metals, including graded coins, within our platform. By maintaining competitive buyback pricing, we aim to give customers a clear picture of liquidity before a purchase is made rather than leaving that consideration until the moment of sale.
The combination of a low-mintage date, fractional gold content, and a perfect NGC grade creates a coin that occupies a distinct position between the bullion and collectible markets. The 1996 issue is recognized among American Gold Eagle specialists as one of the scarcest dates in the series, and MS70 examples are a small subset of that already limited population. For collectors focused on date runs or registry submissions, this coin fills a gap that cannot be addressed with a generic bullion purchase.
The United States Mint's issuance and the NGC certification together remove the authentication uncertainty that can complicate purchases of raw or ungraded gold. What you are acquiring is a precisely identified, independently verified coin with a traceable certification number and a permanent grade record on file with NGC.
We have been operating as a precious metals dealer since 2010, and our approach has remained consistent throughout: transparent pricing, honest representation of products, and a buying experience that puts the customer's decision first. We carry an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and hold active memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association. Our authorized dealer status with both NGC and PCGS means we work directly within the grading ecosystem rather than at the margins of it.
For graded coins in particular, buying from an authorized dealer matters. We stand behind the authenticity and condition of every certified coin we sell, and our two-way market model means we are invested in the product's long-term tradability, not just its initial sale. Our platform is designed to give you access to accurate market information, transparent pricing, and a straightforward path to both buying and selling.
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including graded numismatic gold. For coins like this 1996 NGC MS70 1/10 oz Gold Eagle, where premiums can shift based on collector demand, certified population data, and wholesale market activity, having visibility into real-time pricing dynamics provides a meaningful advantage. Pro members can also evaluate their holdings using live wholesale bid pricing rather than estimated retail values, giving a more accurate picture of current liquidation value.
The platform's product research tools allow members to track historical premiums, compare bid/ask spreads, and assess liquidity metrics over time. For a date-specific certified coin like this one, those tools help frame whether current market pricing reflects a premium expansion, a compression, or a period of relative stability compared to historical norms.
We support a broad range of payment methods to make the transaction as straightforward as possible. Customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, and paper check. Cryptocurrency payments are accepted through BitPay for those who prefer that option.
Every transaction is processed through a secure platform designed to protect your financial information. Whether you are completing a single purchase or managing a larger order, we structure the payment process to be both convenient and consistently secure.
Volume Discount Pricing Orders paid by debit card, credit card, and PayPal are an item's full list price and receive no discount. Orders paid by cryptocurrency receive a 3% discount from an item's full list price. Orders paid by eCheck (ACH), paper check, and bank wire receive a 4% discount from an item's full list price.
| Quantity | (e)Check/Wire | Crypto | CC/PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1+ | $621.15 | $634.10 | $647.04 |
1+
|
$615.62 | $628.45 | $641.27 |
Product ID: BST-0030373290
| Year | 1996 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Grade | MS70 |
| Grading Service | NGC |
The 1996 Gold American Eagle $5 is a fractional sovereign coin produced by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Struck in 22-karat gold with a purity of .9167 and a weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, it carries legal tender status under United States law with a face value of five dollars. This example has been graded MS70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, representing a perfect mint state grade with no detectable flaws under standard numismatic examination.
We carry certified examples of this coin as part of our broader selection of graded United States gold coinage. The NGC MS70 designation places this piece at the top of the grading scale, making it among the most pristine examples of its issue year.
The Gold American Eagle series was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production in 1986. It marked the United States Mint's return to producing gold coins for public ownership following restrictions that had been in place for decades. The West Point Mint, designated with a "W" mintmark that does not appear on the coin itself, became the primary production facilit
…The 1996 Gold American Eagle $5 is a fractional sovereign coin produced by the United States Mint at the West Point facility. Struck in 22-karat gold with a purity of .9167 and a weight of one-tenth of a troy ounce, it carries legal tender status under United States law with a face value of five dollars. This example has been graded MS70 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, representing a perfect mint state grade with no detectable flaws under standard numismatic examination.
We carry certified examples of this coin as part of our broader selection of graded United States gold coinage. The NGC MS70 designation places this piece at the top of the grading scale, making it among the most pristine examples of its issue year.
The Gold American Eagle series was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production in 1986. It marked the United States Mint's return to producing gold coins for public ownership following restrictions that had been in place for decades. The West Point Mint, designated with a "W" mintmark that does not appear on the coin itself, became the primary production facility for the series.
The 1996 issue holds particular significance within the series. Gold Eagle mintages during the mid-1990s were considerably lower than those produced in later years, and the 1/10 oz denomination from 1996 is recognized as one of the lower-mintage dates in the series. This scarcity, combined with perfect third-party certification, contributes to the coin's standing among date-specific collectors and set builders.
Since its introduction, the American Gold Eagle has become one of the most widely recognized gold coins in the world, underpinned by the full faith and backing of the United States government and the Mint's long-standing production standards.
The obverse of the Gold American Eagle features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic depiction of Lady Liberty striding forward, torch raised in her right hand and olive branch in her left, with the United States Capitol visible in the background. The design is adapted from Saint-Gaudens' celebrated 1907 double eagle and remains one of the most artistically praised coin designs in American numismatic history. The date appears in Roman numerals on certain early issues, though later strikes transitioned to Arabic numerals.
The reverse was designed by Miley Busiek and depicts a male eagle carrying an olive branch descending toward a nest where a female eagle and hatchlings rest below. This imagery reflects American symbolism tied to family and national strength. The inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and the weight and purity designations appear within the composition.
An MS70 example will exhibit fully struck detail with no contact marks, hairlines, or surface disturbances of any kind. The luster across the relief elements and fields should be entirely undisturbed, reflecting the highest standard of production quality achievable for this issue.
At one-tenth of a troy ounce, this coin occupies the smallest denomination in the standard Gold American Eagle lineup. That compact size lowers the per-unit acquisition cost relative to the one-ounce version, making it a practical choice for those looking to acquire certified gold in smaller increments without committing to a full ounce at current market prices.
Fractional gold also has practical advantages in terms of handling and flexibility. Smaller denominations allow for more granular decisions when it comes to managing a physical gold position, and recognized sovereign fractional coins tend to carry broad market familiarity that supports their usability across different buying and selling environments.
This coin has been authenticated, graded, and encapsulated by NGC, one of the two leading third-party grading services in the numismatic industry. NGC's certification process includes independent verification of the coin's authenticity, metal composition, and surface condition, with the resulting grade assigned by professional numismatists using established standards. The coin is sealed within a tamper-evident NGC holder that protects the surfaces while keeping the coin visible for examination.
We are an authorized NGC dealer, which means we stand behind the integrity of the graded products we carry. The combination of United States Mint production standards and NGC certification provides a reliable, independently verified record of this coin's authenticity and condition. No additional testing or verification is required at the point of purchase.
MS70, or Mint State Perfect, is the highest grade attainable on the 70-point Sheldon scale. A coin graded MS70 by NGC has been determined to have no post-production imperfections visible under 5x magnification. Every design element is fully struck, the fields are clean and unbroken, and the luster is completely intact. For a 1996 issue with a low mintage, an NGC MS70 example represents a coin that survived production, handling, and storage without any detectable compromise to its surfaces.
This coin ships in its original NGC slab, which provides both physical protection and clear display of the grade and certification details. The holder is designed to protect the coin's surfaces from contact during storage and transit. If you are purchasing multiple certified coins, each piece will arrive individually slabbed and protected according to NGC packaging standards.
The base price of this coin reflects the current spot price of gold multiplied by its one-tenth ounce gold content. Beyond the metal value, the premium on a certified MS70 example incorporates the cost of NGC grading, the relative scarcity of a 1996-dated 1/10 oz Gold Eagle in perfect condition, and the demand that exists among collectors building date-specific or registry-quality sets.
Premiums on low-mintage, perfect-grade coins can expand or contract based on collector demand, the availability of comparable certified examples, and broader market conditions. Our pricing reflects current market dynamics and is structured to remain consistent with observable wholesale and retail benchmarks for this specific date and grade combination.
Gold American Eagles are among the most liquid government-issued gold coins in the world, and graded examples from NGC carry additional recognizability within the collector market. The MS70 designation and low 1996 mintage give this piece a defined market niche beyond standard bullion liquidity. Buyers in the numismatic and registry set communities actively seek certified, date-specific examples in top grades.
We operate a two-way market, meaning you can both purchase and sell precious metals, including graded coins, within our platform. By maintaining competitive buyback pricing, we aim to give customers a clear picture of liquidity before a purchase is made rather than leaving that consideration until the moment of sale.
The combination of a low-mintage date, fractional gold content, and a perfect NGC grade creates a coin that occupies a distinct position between the bullion and collectible markets. The 1996 issue is recognized among American Gold Eagle specialists as one of the scarcest dates in the series, and MS70 examples are a small subset of that already limited population. For collectors focused on date runs or registry submissions, this coin fills a gap that cannot be addressed with a generic bullion purchase.
The United States Mint's issuance and the NGC certification together remove the authentication uncertainty that can complicate purchases of raw or ungraded gold. What you are acquiring is a precisely identified, independently verified coin with a traceable certification number and a permanent grade record on file with NGC.
We have been operating as a precious metals dealer since 2010, and our approach has remained consistent throughout: transparent pricing, honest representation of products, and a buying experience that puts the customer's decision first. We carry an A rating with the Better Business Bureau and hold active memberships in the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association. Our authorized dealer status with both NGC and PCGS means we work directly within the grading ecosystem rather than at the margins of it.
For graded coins in particular, buying from an authorized dealer matters. We stand behind the authenticity and condition of every certified coin we sell, and our two-way market model means we are invested in the product's long-term tradability, not just its initial sale. Our platform is designed to give you access to accurate market information, transparent pricing, and a straightforward path to both buying and selling.
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including graded numismatic gold. For coins like this 1996 NGC MS70 1/10 oz Gold Eagle, where premiums can shift based on collector demand, certified population data, and wholesale market activity, having visibility into real-time pricing dynamics provides a meaningful advantage. Pro members can also evaluate their holdings using live wholesale bid pricing rather than estimated retail values, giving a more accurate picture of current liquidation value.
The platform's product research tools allow members to track historical premiums, compare bid/ask spreads, and assess liquidity metrics over time. For a date-specific certified coin like this one, those tools help frame whether current market pricing reflects a premium expansion, a compression, or a period of relative stability compared to historical norms.
We support a broad range of payment methods to make the transaction as straightforward as possible. Customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, and paper check. Cryptocurrency payments are accepted through BitPay for those who prefer that option.
Every transaction is processed through a secure platform designed to protect your financial information. Whether you are completing a single purchase or managing a larger order, we structure the payment process to be both convenient and consistently secure.