HI All, Can anyone shed some light on why some gold eagles have Roman Numeral dates and most have arabic dates. And do these coins exist in both versions for specific years? This would be the gold eagles of which I speak. As always thanks to all for providing great info on this site!! Chris
Hello, Are you talking about modern US Mint issued bullion? If so, the gold "Eagle" program began in 1986, and continues to the present. 1986-1991 dated "coins" have Roman numeral dates, while those dated 1992-present have Arabic numeral dates. Why the change? I'm not sure. Probably had something to do with the fact that people don't like to have to decipher Roman numerals, in order to tell the dates. Of course there are original Gold Eagles ($10 gold pieces) which were first minted 1795, and continued up until 1933. All of those coins have Arabic numeral dates.
It should be remebered though that the first St. Gaudens $20 ( double eagle ) had a Roman numeral date. I think that is why when the AGE program first began the Roman numeral date was used.
You could be right GD. I've never heard a definitive explaination. (that would make sense, though) Any idea as to why the change from Roman to Arabic numerals occured?
To the best of my knowledge it's never been stated outright by the mint, but I suspect they were following the previous pattern established with the issue of the St. Gaudens. At first they copied the original design - but then they changed it to Arabic numerals - just like they did with the St. Gaudens.
When only 50% of our graduating youth can handle and understand Aribic numerals, can you immagine what a deep hole we have dug for ourselves when we expect them to recognize and use Roman numerals? I believe someone called this the "dumbing down of America"
