Numismatic

2006-W 1 oz Burnished Gold Eagle MS-69 NGC (20th Anniversary)

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In 2006, the United States Mint introduced a new finish to its beloved bullion lineup, marking the very first year of issue for the burnished Gold Eagle. Struck at the West Point facility in New York, this fifty-dollar coin carries the 'W' mint mark, signaling its special production process. This specific release celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the American Eagle program, a milestone noted on its grading label. The obverse features a legendary American numismatic image, adapted from the classic twentieth-century design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It portrays Lady Liberty in stride, holding a lit torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other. On the reverse, a detailed scene created by Miley Busiek depicts a male eagle in flight, returning to a nest that holds a female eagle and their young offspring. Containing one full troy ounce of gold, this specimen has been certified in a near-perfect Mint State 69 condition. With a total worldwide mintage of 45,053 pieces, this coin represents a fascinating chapter in modern American coining history, blending historic artistry with contemporary minting techniques.