I'm having a bit of a problem understanding why the mint put a $10 value on the 1/2 ounce gold spouse coins. The 1/2 ounce gold american eagle is has a $25 value. I know gold is worth more than the face value of the coins, but the mint uses $50 as a current one ounce value on its buffalo and american eagle series. This $10 value is only one fifth of an ounce. Is this an error or a consicious effort to devalue gold?
For bullion coins the mint uses the $25 face value for 1/2oz gold coins. For other 1/2 gold coins such as the commemorative pieces they fll back on the old denomination of the circulation Eagle which had a $10 face value and contained almost 1/2 oz of gold. The First Spouse coins are not considered to be bullion coins even though the a pure gold and an even fractional oz weight. They are not bullion because they are sold at a premium above the bullion value as a collectible coin.
The very simple answer is that Congress passed a bill mandating that denomination, and the President signed it. That left the Mint with three choices: Obey the law, comply with the law, or follow the law.
