Following the excitement created by the release of a special set in the previous year, the United States Mint returned to the standard offerings for the 1996 Proof Gold Eagle. Without any additional incentive to purchase the coins, sales levels experienced a decline.
The Proof Gold Eagle carried the same design that had been in use since the start of the series. The obverse featured the classic design from the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle, which depicted a full figure of Liberty in flowing gown. She holds a lit torch and olive branch, with the rays of the rising sun and the Capitol building in the background. Stars were added to the periphery to reflect the current number of states. The reverse featured a depiction of a family of eagles created by Miley Busiek, flanked by the required inscriptions.
Coins were struck in four different bullion weights, including one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, and one-tenth ounce. The United States Mint offered the coins to collectors individually or within a complete four coin set. There were limits established for each of the individual options.
Pricing for the 1996 Proof Gold Eagles saw a slight increase from the levels of the previous year as the price of gold briefly moved above $400 per ounce. As mentioned, sales were somewhat lackluster when compared to the previous year. The US Mint would seek to make adjustments to the program to inspire greater collector interest.
1996 Proof Gold Eagle Prices, Limits, and Sales
| Product | Initial Price | Product Limit | Mintage Limit | Final Sales |
| 1 oz. | $589.00 | 55,000 | N/A | 9,824 |
| 1/2 oz. | $299.00 | 50,000 | N/A | 8,729 |
| 1/4 oz. | $159.00 | 55,000 | N/A | 11,890 |
| 1/10 oz. | $75.00 | 70,000 | N/A | 30,718 |
| 4 Coin Set | $1,025.00 | N/A | N/A | 26,329 |
1996 Proof Gold Eagles For Sale
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 1996-W 1/2 oz AMERICAN Eagle $25 GOLD Coin PCGS PR70DCAM - PERFECT Coin $1,199.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 13m |
 1996 W Gold Eagle $10 PR70 DCAM PCGS Certified $775.00 Time Remaining: 14d 51m Buy It Now for only: $775.00 |
 1996 W $5 Gold Eagle PCGS PR70 DCAM $529.00 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 47m Buy It Now for only: $529.00 |
 1996-W $25 NGC PR-69 Ultra Cameo Proof Gold Eagle Coin KEY DATE LOOKS PERFECT! $1,195.00 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,195.00 |
 1996-W PCGS PR69DCAM $5 Gold Eagle 1/10 Ounce $274.95 Time Remaining: 20d 4h 24m Buy It Now for only: $274.95 |
 1996 W $10 PR70 DCAM GOLD EAGLE 1/4 oz. COIN PCGS $1,399.99 Time Remaining: 11d 23h 54m Buy It Now for only: $1,399.99 |
 4 Proof Set 1996 US GOLD EAGLE PCGS PR69 DCAM w/ COA & Box $5 $10 $25 $50 $3,530.57 Time Remaining: 9d 18h 47m Buy It Now for only: $3,530.57 |
 1996-W, PCGS PR-70DC, $5 GOLD EAGLE, *KEY TO THE SERIES $845.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 11m Buy It Now for only: $845.00 |
 1996 W $25 PR70 DCAM AMERICAN GOLD EAGLE 1/2 oz. AGE PCGS PF PR 70 PROOF COIN $1,599.99 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $1,599.99 |