Union versus Eagle

[Prof. Ray-migration]

The term for a $100 coin is a Union and for a $50 coin, a half Union. Why does the US Mint refer to their $50 and $100 platinum proof coins as Eagles? The term Eagle is for $10 coins. This is why the $20 gold piece is called a Double Eagle. Is it merely because these coins display the American eagle on their reverse?

[BillJones]

It is all in the marketing. The term “union” for the $100 gold piece was a 19th century nomenclature that never took off. Only a few half union coins were made on an experimental basis, and no union coins were ever made. I’ve never seen the term “half union” applied to the 1915 Panama-Pacific $50 gold coins, which were the only $50 gold pieces that the U.S. government offered to the general public prior to the modern bullion gold coins.

 

The eagle is the national bird, and makes these bullion coins seem noble and patriotic, and for that reason the term is the official name for this series of coins.