Numismatic

1988 1 oz American Gold Eagle MS-70 NGC

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The 1988 American Gold Eagle stands as a remarkable example of United States coinage, combining historic artistic vision with modern minting standards. This fifty-dollar denomination coin contains one full troy ounce of gold, struck with a purity of 0.9167. Its physical presence is matched by the deep symbolic imagery rendered on both sides of the metal. On the obverse, viewers can appreciate a classic representation of Lady Liberty. This design is an adaptation of the famous work by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, originally created for the early twentieth-century double eagle. Liberty is depicted in mid-stride, moving forward with strength against a backdrop of radiating sunbeams. The year of issue is marked on the coin in Roman numerals as MCMLXXXVIII. The reverse side presents a detailed wildlife scene envisioned by sculptor Miley Busiek. It portrays a family of bald eagles, where a male eagle flies back to the nest holding an olive branch, while a female eagle and their young wait within. This detailed narrative design offers a unique perspective on a classic national symbol, making the 1988 issue a compelling subject for study and appreciation.