The United States Mint has provided details for the upcoming release of the 2011 Proof American Gold Eagle coins. These collector versions of the popular bullion coin have traditionally been offered each year since the introduction of the series in 1986.

The only year that the US Mint did not offer a collector version of the Gold Eagle was in 2009. In explaining the cancellation, the US Mint cited their requirement to produce the bullion versions of the coins in quantities sufficient to meet public demand. Since they could not meet full demand, they sourced all incoming precious metals blanks to the production of more bullion coins.

In 2010, the offering was resumed, with Proof Gold Eagles available starting on October 7, 2010. The available options sold out by early January of the following year.

The 2011 Gold Eagles will go on sale April 21, 2011. The US Mint will offer individual product options for the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz coins, as well as a combined 4 Coin Set option. Each coin is struck in 22 karat gold, with the stated weight reflecting the gold content of each coin. The product limits established by the US Mint are shown below.

If the US Mint can achieve a full sell out of the stated product limits for each option, that would represent 118,500 troy ounces of gold. Through the first three months of the year, the US Mint has sold an average of just under 100,000 ounces of Gold Eagle bullion coins per month. Sales of the collector versions typically take place more slowly, since they are sold at a higher premium and marketed to collectors.

Prices will be determined based on the average London Fix gold price for the week prior to the release date. If gold remains within the current range, the 1 oz proof coin would be priced at $1,735.00, reflecting a premium of 16.68% over the market price of the gold content. The 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz coins would cost $881.00, $453.00, and $195.50, respectively. The 4 coin set would cost $3,215.50.