2008-W Burnished $5 Gold American Eagle - NGC MS70/ Anna Cabral Pop 23

The $5 Gold American Eagle is already one of the most actively collected modern U.S. gold series. But in 2006, the United States Mint introduced a new and much scarcer format: the Burnished (or “Uncirculated”) Gold Eagle struck at West Point and bearing the “W” Mintmark. These burnished pieces were produced using a special hand-fed striking process and satiny planchets—making them fundamentally different from standard bullion issues.

While Burnished Gold Eagles continue to be struck today, only from 2006–2008 did the Mint produce fractional denominations ($5, $10, and $25). This makes the three-year run of fractional Burnished Gold Eagles one of the shortest and most collectible modern gold series in U.S. history.

Among them, the 2008-W $5 Burnished is the standout. Although it was supposed to be produced in healthy quantities, over 54% of the original production was scrapped at the Mint due to planchet quality issues. As a result, only 12,657 examples were ever released, making it:

• One of the rarest $5 Gold Eagles the U.S. Mint has ever produced

• Roughly 20 times scarcer than typical $5 Gold Eagles

• Rivaled in rarity only by the legendary 1999-W $5 “Error” issue

Collectors have long observed that smaller denomination gold coins tend to appreciate more strongly over time than their larger counterparts when rarity is comparable. Simply put: scarcity + affordability = broader demand. And the 2008-W Burnished $5 embodies that formula perfectly.

Why Own This Coin

• Ultra-Low Mintage: Just 12,657 coins issued

• The Final Year of the $5 Burnished Gold Eagle series

• Very Limited Population in MS70, especially compared to larger denominations

• Anna Escobedo Cabral Signature Label — one of the most respected and highly pursued pedigrees in the modern gold market