What Are Certified American Eagle Coins?
Certified American Eagle coins are U.S. Mint precious metal coins that have been examined and encapsulated by a third-party grading service.
American Eagles are issued in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Each series has its own history, denominations, metal specifications, and collectible varieties.
Collectors purchase certified Eagles for several reasons, including authentication, documented condition, registry-set participation, special-release collecting, and long-term preservation.
A certified holder can help identify a coin's attributes, but buyers should still verify certification information and examine the individual coin.
American Eagle Coins by Precious Metal
| Coin Series | First Issued | Metal Purity | Common Collecting Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | 1986 | 22-karat gold (.9167 fine) | Fractional sizes, Proofs, Mint State grades, Type 1 and Type 2 designs |
| American Silver Eagle | 1986 | .999 fine silver | MS69/MS70, Proofs, Reverse Proofs, special releases |
| American Platinum Eagle | 1997 | .9995 fine platinum | Fractional denominations, Proof designs, certified grades |
| American Palladium Eagle | 2017 | .9995 fine palladium | One-ounce issues, finishes, dates, certification |
| American Gold Buffalo | 2006 | .9999 fine gold | One-ounce gold coins, Proofs, high-grade examples |
American Gold Eagles & Gold Buffalos
American Gold Eagles were introduced in 1986 and contain 22-karat gold. The original series includes one-tenth, one-quarter, one-half, and one-troy-ounce gold denominations.
The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' celebrated Liberty design. A new reverse featuring an eagle portrait was introduced in 2021.
American Gold Buffalos, introduced in 2006, contain .9999 fine gold and feature designs inspired by James Earle Fraser's Buffalo nickel.
Both series are popular among collectors seeking certified gold bullion coins, Proof issues, and high numerical grades.
American Silver Eagles
First issued in 1986, the American Silver Eagle contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver.
Its obverse features Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty design. The reverse changed in 2021 from John Mercanti's heraldic eagle to Emily Damstra's landing eagle.
Collectors frequently pursue MS69 and MS70 examples, Proof coins, Reverse Proofs, burnished collector issues, and recognized varieties.
American Platinum & Palladium Eagles
American Platinum Eagles were introduced in 1997 and contain .9995 fine platinum. The original series included fractional denominations and one-ounce coins.
American Palladium Eagles debuted in 2017. Each contains one troy ounce of .9995 fine palladium and features designs associated with Adolph A. Weinman.
Collectors may seek certified Proofs, distinctive finishes, historical reverse designs, and specific numerical grades.
Understanding Coin Certification & Grading
Third-party grading services authenticate eligible coins, evaluate their condition, and assign numerical grades using the Sheldon 70-point scale.
Common certification services represented in IDC's numismatic inventory include PCGS, NGC, ICG, and ANACS.
| Designation | General Meaning |
|---|---|
| MS-69 | Mint State coin with extremely minor imperfections under the applicable grading standard. |
| MS-70 | Highest Mint State numerical grade. |
| PF-69 / PR-69 | Proof coin assigned numerical grade 69. |
| PF-70 / PR-70 | Highest Proof numerical grade. |
| SP | Specimen designation used for certain special-strike coins. |
| First Strike / Early Releases | Service-specific release or submission designations; not numerical grades. |
Buyers should distinguish a coin's numerical grade from its finish, mintmark, special label, and certification program.
Bullion, Proof & Burnished Eagles
Bullion Coins
Investment-oriented coins whose value is strongly influenced by precious metal content and market premiums.
Proof Coins
Specially manufactured collector issues, often featuring reflective fields and contrasting design elements.
Burnished Coins
Selected collector uncirculated issues featuring a distinct manufacturing finish.
Reverse Proof Coins
Collector issues featuring a reverse Proof appearance, typically with frosted fields and reflective design elements.
Not every American Eagle series has been offered in every finish or denomination. Always confirm the exact coin specifications.
IDC Verified American Eagle Coins
IDC Verified is an authentication and preservation program developed by IDC Coin & Bullion, a division of International Diamond Center.
The program combines IDC's numismatic review with independent third-party authentication and grading through Independent Coin Graders (ICG).
Eligible participating coins feature IDC Verified program identification. The grading service's assigned grade remains a separate attribute.
IDC Verified includes selected modern bullion and collector coins, along with other numismatic products.
How to Choose a Certified American Eagle
Start with the precious metal and denomination that fit your collecting goals. Then consider the coin's year, strike, grade, and any special attributes.
Collectors focused on bullion exposure may prioritize metal weight and total purchase cost. Numismatic collectors may place greater emphasis on scarcity, certification, Proof finishes, or special-release designations.
When comparing coins, review the actual certification number, holder condition, available photographs, and recent comparable sales.
Buy & Sell Certified American Eagles in Clearwater, Florida
IDC Coin & Bullion, a division of International Diamond Center, is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida.
IDC operates 11 retail locations across Florida and Georgia and offers collectible coins and precious metal products nationwide through its online store.
Customers in Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, and the greater Tampa Bay area can contact IDC about American Eagle coins and precious metals.
If you have Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Platinum Eagles, Palladium Eagles, or American Gold Buffalos to sell, IDC considers qualifying items for purchase.
Visit the IDC Clearwater coin dealer page or learn what IDC buys .
Online inventory and individual showroom availability may differ. Contact IDC before visiting for a specific product.
Certified American Eagle FAQs
What is a slabbed American Eagle?
A slabbed American Eagle is a coin encapsulated in a protective holder, typically following authentication and grading by a third-party service.
What metals are American Eagles made from?
American Eagle coin programs include gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Each series has different purity and weight specifications.
Are certified American Eagles real U.S. coins?
Genuine American Eagles are U.S. Mint legal-tender coins. Third-party certification is separate from their status as official coinage.
What does MS70 mean on an American Eagle?
MS70 is the highest Mint State numerical grade under the applicable grading standard.
What does PF70 or PR70 mean?
It identifies a Proof coin assigned grade 70, the highest numerical Proof grade.
What is the difference between a Gold Eagle and a Gold Buffalo?
American Gold Eagles contain 22-karat gold, while American Gold Buffalos contain .9999 fine gold. Their designs and coin programs also differ.
How much silver is in a Silver Eagle?
A standard American Silver Eagle contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver.
How much platinum is in a Platinum Eagle?
Historically, Platinum Eagles were issued in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and one-troy-ounce denominations.
How much palladium is in a Palladium Eagle?
An American Palladium Eagle contains one troy ounce of .9995 fine palladium.
What does PCGS certified mean?
The coin has been examined and encapsulated by Professional Coin Grading Service under its applicable procedures.
What does NGC certified mean?
The coin has been examined and encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Company under its applicable procedures.
Are all ICG coins IDC Verified?
No. IDC Verified applies only to eligible participating coins within IDC's program.
Are MS70 American Eagles rare?
Rarity varies by issue. Some dates have large certified MS70 populations, while others are scarcer.
What is a First Strike label?
A grading-service designation based on specific submission or release criteria. It does not necessarily mean the coin was literally among the first struck.
Does IDC sell certified American Eagles?
Yes. IDC's online numismatic catalog includes certified American Eagle collections across multiple precious metals. Availability changes over time.
Does IDC buy American Eagle coins?
IDC considers qualifying American Eagle coins and other precious metal products for purchase. Contact IDC for current purchasing details.
Where can I buy certified American Eagles in Clearwater?
IDC Coin & Bullion is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and offers certified American Eagle coins through its online catalog.
Explore IDC's Certified Coin Collections
Explore Certified American Eagles at IDC
Shop professionally graded American Eagle coins in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, along with certified American Gold Buffalos.
Choose a collection to browse available inventory or contact IDC about precious metal coins you are considering selling.
