ModernCoinMart offers 1/4 oz. American Gold Eagles in a variety of formats, including bullion-strike coins, collector examples, and professionally certified coins graded by leading third-party grading services such as the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Single raw bullion coins ship in protective Mylar flips, while quantities of 40 are housed in original U.S. Mint coin tubes.
Collectors can choose from a wide selection of certified Gold Eagles, including unique labels and exclusive releases available only through ModernCoinMart. Whether you prefer the affordability of bullion coins with competitive premiums or the added appeal of professional grading and special certification labels, we offer options to fit every collector’s goals.
About the 1/4 oz Gold Eagle
The 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle carries a $10 face value and weighs 8.483 grams. It is struck in durable 22-karat gold, composed of 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper—the same crown gold alloy used across all four American Gold Eagle denominations. The coin measures 22 mm in diameter with a reeded edge and contains a guaranteed one-quarter troy ounce of pure gold, with its weight, content, and purity guaranteed by the United States government.
The obverse features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ iconic Lady Liberty design, adapted from his celebrated $20 Double Eagle of 1907. The original reverse, designed by Miley Busiek Frost, features a family of bald eagles and remained in production from 1986 through 2021. In 2021, the U.S. Mint introduced a redesigned reverse by Jennie Norris through the Artistic Infusion Program, featuring a detailed Eagle Portrait that distinguishes Type 2 coins from their Type 1 predecessors. For production numbers across all years, visit our Gold Eagle mintage charts.
Bullion, Proof, and Burnished: Choosing the Right 1/4 oz Gold Eagle
The 1/4 oz Gold Eagle sits at a comfortable middle ground in the series — more gold content than the 1/10 oz Gold Eagle at a lower price point than the 1/2 oz and 1 oz versions. It is available in three finishes to suit different goals.
Bullion strikes are produced for investment and priced closest to the gold spot price, making them the most cost-efficient option for buyers focused on gold content. Proof Gold Eagles are struck multiple times on polished dies, yielding a frosted design against mirror-like fields. They come in official U.S. Mint presentation packaging with a certificate of authenticity and carry a collector premium. Burnished Gold Eagles offer a satin finish exclusive to the West Point Mint with limited annual mintages, occupying the middle ground between bullion and Proof in both price and collectibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1/4 oz. Gold Eagles
How much gold is in a 1/4 oz American Gold Eagle?
Each 1/4 oz Gold Eagle contains exactly one-quarter of a troy ounce (7.776g) of pure gold. The coin’s total gross weight is 8.483 grams because the gold is alloyed with silver and copper at a 22-karat alloy, improving durability without reducing the guaranteed gold content. Buyers looking for more gold content in a single coin can step up to the 1/2 oz Gold Eagle or the 1 oz Gold Eagle.
Is the 1/4 oz Gold Eagle IRA-eligible?
Yes. All American Gold Eagle denominations, including the 1/4 oz, are eligible for inclusion in a self-directed precious metals IRA under IRS regulations. They must be stored with an IRS-approved custodian, but their government-backed status and gold content make them among the most widely accepted gold coins for retirement accounts. Browse our full American Gold Eagle selection to compare all four denominations for IRA purposes.
What is the difference between raw and certified 1/4 oz Gold Eagles?
Raw 1/4 oz American Gold Eagles are ungraded coins that have not been professionally certified by a third-party grading service. They typically offer a more affordable way to own Gold Eagles, with lower premiums compared to certified examples. Certified coins have been independently authenticated, professionally graded by services such as NGC or PCGS, and encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder with a grade assigned on the 70-point Sheldon scale.
Certified 1/4 oz Gold Eagles provide collectors with a verified condition level, making them easier to evaluate and compare. They may also qualify for registry sets and feature exclusive labels or special designations available only through ModernCoinMart. For a complete year-by-year production history, see our Gold Eagle mintage charts.
How does the 1/4 oz Gold Eagle compare to the other denominations?
All four Gold Eagle denominations share the same 22-karat composition and Saint-Gaudens-inspired design, scaled proportionally to their size. The 1/10 oz Gold Eagle offers the lowest entry price but the highest premium per ounce of gold. The 1 oz Gold Eagle delivers the lowest premium per ounce and the strongest liquidity. The 1/4 oz strikes a balance between affordability and meaningful gold content, making it a popular choice for collectors building date sets and investors adding to a position gradually.
