2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle $10 - Box & COA

Product ID: BST-002751AF46

Specifications

Year 2002
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 0.25 oz
Thickness (mm) 1.83 mm
Diameter (mm) 22 mm
Grade Proof
Finish Proof

Product Details

Overview of the 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle

The 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle is a fractional coin struck by the United States Mint at its West Point facility and issued as part of the longstanding American Gold Eagle program. Composed of 0.25 troy ounces of 22-karat gold, it carries a face value of ten dollars and is recognized as legal tender backed by the United States government. This proof version is distinguished from its bullion counterpart by its mirror-like fields, frosted devices, and the "W" mintmark that certifies its West Point origin.

This particular offering includes both the original government-issued presentation box and the Certificate of Authenticity issued by the United States Mint, making it a complete and properly documented example. We carry this coin as part of our broader catalog of government-minted proof coinage, where condition, packaging integrity, and documentation are central to the product's identity and collectibility.

History and Background

The American Gold Eagle program was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production the following year in 1986. The series was created to give Americans direct access to domesti

Overview of the 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle

The 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle is a fractional coin struck by the United States Mint at its West Point facility and issued as part of the longstanding American Gold Eagle program. Composed of 0.25 troy ounces of 22-karat gold, it carries a face value of ten dollars and is recognized as legal tender backed by the United States government. This proof version is distinguished from its bullion counterpart by its mirror-like fields, frosted devices, and the "W" mintmark that certifies its West Point origin.

This particular offering includes both the original government-issued presentation box and the Certificate of Authenticity issued by the United States Mint, making it a complete and properly documented example. We carry this coin as part of our broader catalog of government-minted proof coinage, where condition, packaging integrity, and documentation are central to the product's identity and collectibility.

History and Background

The American Gold Eagle program was authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 and entered production the following year in 1986. The series was created to give Americans direct access to domestic gold coinage struck from metal mined within the United States. The West Point Mint, which had functioned primarily as a gold bullion depository since the 1930s, became the exclusive home for proof Gold Eagle production and received official mint status in 1988.

By 2002, the proof Gold Eagle series had established a consistent annual production rhythm across four denominations: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz. The 2002 issue was produced during a period of relatively modest mintage figures for the proof series, which contributes to the collectibility of coins from this era. The West Point facility maintained the same exacting proof production standards throughout this period, ensuring continuity in quality across the series.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse of the American Gold Eagle features a design inspired by Augustus Saint-Gaudens' iconic Liberty motif, originally created for the 1907 Double Eagle. Lady Liberty is shown striding forward with a torch raised in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, set against a sunrise backdrop with the United States Capitol visible below. The reverse depicts a family of bald eagles, a design conceived by sculptor Miley Busiek that has remained consistent throughout the series.

On proof examples, the contrast between the deeply mirrored background fields and the frosted raised devices creates a striking cameo effect that collectors refer to as "deep cameo" or "ultra cameo" in graded examples. The West Point Mint achieves this finish through a specialized die preparation and polishing process, and each blank is hand-fed into the press and struck multiple times at lower speeds to capture maximum detail. The result is a level of visual precision that differs markedly from the standard bullion strike.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At 0.25 troy ounces, this coin occupies a practical middle ground in the Gold Eagle denomination structure, offering meaningful gold content without the full-ounce price commitment. For collectors building a complete set of 2002 proof Gold Eagles, the quarter-ounce piece is a required component alongside the 1/10, 1/2, and 1 oz denominations. The fractional format also reflects a considered approach to managing allocation in a physical gold holding without sacrificing the quality and government backing associated with the full series.

The physical size of the coin, smaller than the half and one-ounce issues, makes it easy to store and handle without specialized equipment. For those who prioritize proof quality and official documentation over maximizing gold content per transaction, the quarter-ounce format delivers both in a manageable package.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

American Gold Eagles are produced under direct oversight of the United States Mint and carry statutory guarantees for weight and purity. The 1/4 oz proof contains 0.25 troy ounces of fine gold in a 22-karat alloy composed of gold, silver, and copper, which enhances durability while preserving the coin's precise gold content. The West Point "W" mintmark provides an additional layer of attribution specific to the proof issue.

The included Certificate of Authenticity from the United States Mint documents the coin's origin, specifications, and year of issue. As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we are well-positioned to assist customers who wish to have their coins independently graded and encapsulated. The original box and COA are meaningful to that process as supporting provenance documentation. Every coin we offer is reviewed for authenticity and condition before it is listed for sale.

Condition and Packaging

This coin is offered in proof condition and includes the original United States Mint presentation box and Certificate of Authenticity. The standard packaging for this issue is a burgundy leatherette-style box with a foam insert designed to hold the coin in a protective plastic capsule. The COA is issued on official Mint letterhead and corresponds to the specific year and denomination of the coin.

Because this is a proof coin issued in original government packaging rather than a raw bullion item sourced from the secondary market, the condition standards are specific to the proof category. Buyers should expect the coin to be properly housed in its capsule and the box to show normal aging consistent with a piece from 2002. Coins in this configuration are well-suited for both display and long-term storage, and the original packaging preserves as much of the original presentation as possible.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for the 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle is determined first by the current spot price of gold, with the quarter-ounce gold content serving as the base value. From that baseline, the premium reflects a combination of factors including the proof finish, the original West Point mintmark, the completeness of the box and COA, and the collectible demand associated with dated proof issues. Coins from lower-mintage years like 2002 can carry premiums above those of more recently produced proof issues simply due to supply availability in the secondary market.

Our pricing reflects real-time market conditions and is structured for transparency rather than obscuring the relationship between spot price and final cost. The bid/ask spread displayed on our product pages provides additional context on the cost of ownership and the resale environment for this specific product.

Selling and Liquidity

Proof Gold Eagles from the West Point Mint are among the most recognized government-issued proof coins in the United States and are actively traded in the secondary market. The combination of government backing, standardized gold content, and consistent annual production makes these coins understood and accepted across dealer networks, auction houses, and private transactions. The box and COA add to the completeness of the offering, which is a meaningful consideration in resale settings where documentation supports pricing.

We operate within a two-way market that supports both buying and selling, which means customers have a direct channel for liquidity when they decide to move this coin. Understanding the resale side of the transaction before purchasing is part of the informed approach we encourage, and our platform is designed to support that evaluation at every stage.

Why Buy the 2002-W 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle?

The 2002-W proof issue appeals to collectors building date-complete sets of American Gold Eagles as well as buyers who want a government-minted gold coin with proof quality and complete documentation. The West Point proof designation, combined with the original packaging and COA, gives this coin a more complete provenance than a raw secondary-market example would carry. For the quarter-ounce denomination specifically, the 2002 issue represents a dated year that sits outside the higher-mintage era of the series, which adds a degree of scarcity relative to more recent issues.

The coin also functions as a tangible representation of a specific year of United States Mint production, with all the quality controls and design integrity that entails. Whether the priority is the gold content, the proof aesthetics, or the collectibility of a specific dated set piece, this coin checks multiple criteria simultaneously in a way that standard bullion rounds or bars simply cannot.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have built our reputation on transparent pricing, accurate product representation, and a buying experience that respects the intelligence of our customers. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and memberships in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association reflect a sustained commitment to professional standards across every transaction. As authorized dealers for PCGS and NGC, we are particularly well-suited to assist customers with proof coinage where grading and authentication add meaningful value to the overall picture.

Every product we list is verified before it reaches a customer, and our two-way market model means we are invested in the relationship beyond the initial sale. We price with clarity, fulfill reliably, and support customers at every step, including when they are ready to sell. Our goal is a marketplace where buyers have the information they need to make confident decisions, not one that relies on pressure or ambiguity to generate transactions.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a wide range of precious metals products, including dated proof issues like this one. Rather than relying on static retail pricing, Pro members transact at prices that reflect real-time supply and demand within the wholesale market, without additional dealer markups applied on top. For proof coins where premiums can fluctuate meaningfully based on collector demand and secondary market availability, having direct visibility into live wholesale pricing is a practical advantage.

Pro also includes real-time portfolio valuation based on current wholesale bid pricing, proprietary premium analytics, and product research tools that allow members to compare spreads, liquidity, and historical premium behavior across our catalog. For a dated proof coin like the 2002-W quarter-ounce, understanding how premiums have moved over time and how this coin compares to other proof issues supports a more complete evaluation of what you are buying and what the resale environment looks like.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a broad range of payment methods to make every transaction straightforward and secure. Customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, or cryptocurrency via BitPay. The range of options is intentional, reflecting our commitment to accommodating different preferences without complicating the process.

Security and convenience are priorities across every method we accept. Whether you are completing a single coin purchase or a larger transaction, the checkout process is designed to be transparent, protected, and consistent with the overall experience we aim to deliver at every point of contact.

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