WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that the 2005 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins will be available for sale on January 13, 2005, at 12:00 noon (ET). The date for this program is set four months earlier than in 2004, as part of the United States Mint’s commitment to make many of its 2005 products available earlier in the year, at the request of its customers.

The American Eagle Gold Proof Coins, which were first issued in 1986, bear a rendition of internationally renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens' image of Liberty holding a torch and an olive branch aloft. The coins are struck at the United States Mint at West Point and bear the "W" mint mark. Each 2005 American Eagle Gold Proof Coin is sealed in a protective capsule; mounted in a handsome, satin-lined velvet presentation case; and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, documenting the coin's place in history.

Rising gold values affect overall production costs for this program; the newly adjusted price and mintage limits for the 2005 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are as follows:

Coin	Price	Maximum Mintage	Product Limit
Four-coin set	$1,260		26,000
One ounce	$720	36,000	10,000
Half-ounce	$360	35,000	9,000
Quarter-ounce	$190	38,000	12,000
Tenth-ounce	$95	52,000	26,000

Because mintages of the 2005 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins are limited, orders should be placed early. The United States Mint reserves the right to limit quantities and may discontinue accepting orders at any time. The 2005 American Eagle Silver Proof Coins will be available in March from the United States Mint, and the 2005 American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins will be available in April.

Customers can purchase the 2005 American Eagle Gold Proof Coins online through the United States Mint's secure website at www.usmint.gov , or by calling toll-free 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) 8:00 a.m. to midnight (ET), seven days a week. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday. Also, orders may be mailed to the United States Mint, P.O. Box 382601, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-8601. A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders.