1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle – Box/COA (Date Varies)

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    <p>
        In the panorama of American coinage, few designs have achieved the mythic stature of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty—an emblem first brought to life in 1907 during a transformative era for U.S. gold coinage. Originally minted for the $20 Double Eagle, Saint-Gaudens’ vision was a bold statement of America's ascent: Lady Liberty steps forward into a new dawn, torch in hand, her gown flowing in defiance of the old world’s constraints. President Theodore Roosevelt himself had sought a coin that rivaled the artistry of ancient Greece—a visual anthem of freedom, optimism, and power.
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    <p>
        Decades later, this masterwork was revived for the American Gold Eagle series, breathing fresh relevance into a symbol that had become inseparable from the American narrative. Launched in 1986 amid surging interest in sovereign bullion, the Gold Eagle quickly secured renown, appealing equally to seasoned collectors and prudent investors. When the 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle debuted in 1988, it filled a unique role: accessible, yet no less magnificent, celebrating America’s artistic and numismatic legacy in a compact form.
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    <p>
        The reverse, crafted by sculptor Miley Busiek (now Miley Tucker-Frost), elegantly complements this legacy by capturing a distinctly American tableau: a family of bald eagles gathered in their mountainous domain. The motif resonates beyond artistry, symbolizing renewal, unity, and guardianship—qualities deeply interwoven with U.S. national identity. The quarter-ounce Proof edition encapsulates both the nation’s heritage and its evolutionary spirit, bridging past and present through imagery both timeless and contemporary.
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    <p>
        Over the decades, select issues have become sought-after milestones for collectors, particularly those with lower mintages or special design variations. The combination of historical gravitas and exquisite minting—each Proof Gold Eagle individually struck and presented with its own certificate—lifts the coin beyond mere bullion.
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    <p>
        Owning a 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle is not simply a matter of acquiring precious metal; it’s an act of stewardship over a lineage of American artistry and symbolism. With every coin, one joins a tradition that values liberty, resilience, and the noble craft of numismatics—a testament that endures in the collector’s cabinet and the annals of American history.
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    <h3>Design Features</h3>
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        The obverse features the iconic **Lady Liberty**, a design adapted from Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ celebrated Double Eagle. Liberty strides forward confidently, radiating energy and vision, her right hand raising a torch to illuminate the path of progress, while her left hand holds an olive branch—the perennial token of peace. The Capitol building appears faintly in the distance, framed by rays of a rising sun, amplifying the theme of hope and national renewal. Encircling the portrait are fifty stars, symbolizing the unity of the states.
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        The reverse, introduced in 1986 by sculptor **Miley Busiek**, features a family of American bald eagles, a composition exclusive to the Gold Eagle program prior to 2021. A vigilant male soars above, clutching an olive branch, returning to a nest where a female eagle shelters her young—an allegory for security, family, and continuity. Select coins minted from mid-2021 onward feature a bold close-up profile of the bald eagle, rendered by Jennie Norris, underscoring the adaptability and enduring power of the national emblem.
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    <h3>Product Highlights</h3>
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        <li><strong>Metal Type:</strong> Gold</li>
        <li><strong>IRA Eligible:</strong> No</li>
        <li><strong>Obverse:</strong> Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty striding forward, torch and olive branch in hand, with the U.S. Capitol in the background and encircled by fifty stars.</li>
        <li><strong>Reverse:</strong> (Pre-2021) Miley Busiek’s depiction of a family of bald eagles in a nest, or (2021 and later) Jennie Norris’ close-up profile of a bald eagle.</li>
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    <h3>Investment Appeal</h3>
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        The 1/4 oz Proof Gold Eagle commands global recognition, blending artistic prestige with the assurance of U.S. Mint craftsmanship. Its 22-karat gold alloy enhances durability, making it suitable for long-term holdings, while its legal tender status reinforces liquidity and trust. This Proof edition, issued with original U.S. Mint box and Certificate of Authenticity, attracts a premium over bullion coins thanks to its mirror-like surfaces, limited mintage, and collector demand. Such coins provide investors with both intrinsic gold value and the enduring allure of one of the world’s most iconic numismatic designs—making them a prudent and distinguished addition to any portfolio.
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