Rio is famous for its natural settings, its Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, and hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, paved with decorated black and cream swirl pattern mosaics known locally as "pedra portuguesa". Some of the most famous local landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, which has recently been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade stand used during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, one of the world's largest football stadiums. Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil, behind São Paulo. The city is capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 while it was a Portuguese colony and from 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. It was the capital of the Portuguese Empire from 1808 to 1821. Commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa, or "The Marvelous City".

American Gold Eagle

The American Gold Eagle is an official gold bullion coin of the United States. Over the years, the gold Eagle from the US mint have become the USA’s most popular bullion coin, and our biggest gold coin seller by far. Each 1-ounce gold Eagle contains a full 31.1 grams of pure gold, with an additional alloy of silver and copper, bringing the total weight up to about 33.9 grams. Coins Offered in 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz denominations. U.S. government guarantees them to contain the stated amount of actual gold weight in troy ounces. By law, the gold must come from sources in America, with an additional alloy of silver and copper to produce a more wear-resistant coin of .9167. It authorized by the United States Congress and backed by the United States Mint for weight and content. The market value of the coins is generally about equal to the market value of their gold content, not their face value. Gold Eagles from the U.S. Mint are the most popular gold bullion coin in this country, and now make up over 80% of the U.S. physical gold bullion market. This bullion product has been a tremendous success for the U.S. Mint.; their actual selling prices vary daily based on the current spot price of gold. The face values are proportional to the weights. The one-ounce gold Eagle has a $50 nominal face value, is 91.67% fine gold, and weighs 1.0909 troy ounces. The most popular size bullion coin issued 20 coins per Treasury tube. The half-ounce gold Eagle has a $25 nominal face value, is 91.67% fine gold, and weighs .5455 troy ounce. The least popular size bullion coin, and often the lowest mintage, it is issued 40 coins per Treasury tube. The quarter-ounce gold Eagle has a $10 nominal face value, is 91.67% fine gold, and weighs .2727 troy ounce. About the size of a nickel, it is popular in jewelry. It issued 40 coins per Treasury tube. The tenth-ounce gold Eagle is a $5 face value coin, 91.67% fine gold (22 karat), and weighs .1091 troy ounce. Smaller than a dime, it is a popular small gift item. It issued 50 coins to a Treasury tube. The obverse design features a rendition of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' full-length figure of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with the Capitol building in the left background. The reverse design, by sculptor Miley Busiek, features a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and her hatchlings.