What are Gold Coins

A coin that is primarily or entirely made of gold is known as a gold coin. The majority of gold coins produced today are bullion coins, such as the Britannia, Canadian Maple Leaf, and American Buffalo, while the majority of gold coins produced since 1800 are 90-92% gold (22 karat). The average weight of alloyed gold coins, such as the American Gold Eagle and South African Krugerrand, is 91.7% gold, with the rest being silver and copper.

Historically (up until around the 1930s), circulation coins like coin-like bracteates and dinars were made of gold. The majority of gold coins produced in recent years, however, have been bullion coins for investors and commemorative coins for collectors. Even though modern gold coins are still recognized as legal tender, their use in regular financial transactions is not common because the metal value typically exceeds the nominal value. The American Gold Eagle, for instance, has a 10 USD face value but a metal value of more than $800 USD (being around a half an ounce).

Gold Coins vs Gold Bars

The most frequent question is whether purchasing gold bars has advantages over doing so with coins. The fact is that coins have some benefits despite bars being a generally better investment option. Lets examine the benefits and drawbacks of coins versus bars in general below.

Resale is Easier
Most people find it extremely convenient to know that consumers trust a gold maple over a gold bar from a private mint. Anybody, from a bullion and precious metal coins buyer, like us to your local pawn shop will be able to buy some of your coinage from you if you want to cash it in. Even your neighbor might, in fact. Never forget to complete your homework, though to make sure you are getting the most money for your coins.

Coins are collectibles
This fact includes all elements that contribute to collectability above and beyond their face value. Everything from scarcity, numismatic value, craftsmanship, present-day physical condition, distinctive design, and commemorative value is considered. Gold coins also have historical appeals because they were once used as legal tender.

Supply and Demand
Coinage typically has a high demand that exceeds supply. Coins are thought to be more distinctive, which explains this. They are frequently desired for reasons other than pure financial gain. Their prices over spot remain significantly higher than bars as a result.

Numismatic Gold Coins vs Gold Bullion Coins


Simply put, "numismatic" means collectible. Rare, antique, or valuable coins that are deemed numismatics are worth more than their melt value because they are sought-after collectibles. A gold coin can be numismatic or bullion. The coins are bullion by their very manufacturing, but some particular years and types add value above and beyond the coin's metal spot value, making them numismatic.

Due to the rarity of the coin issue, some specific coins can fetch significant value above and beyond the metal's bullion value. Additionally, circulated bullion coins are frequently far less valuable than coins in very good or perfect issue condition. A bullion coin is unique if it is discovered to be a protected, rare issue, and collectors will pay a high price to obtain it.

One needs to have a thorough understanding of the collectible market to sell for its numismatic value if you plan on selling to a pawn shop or other uneducated buyers. Values frequently change a lot from one year to the next. A collectible coin's value, unlike the bullion price, is determined by how much it can be sold for. Buying expensive "collectibles" only to sell them for much less has left many buyers feeling duped. To avoid this many people have turned to selling coins online to trusted coins buyers with educated appraisers that understand numismatic value. Our appraisers have over 50 year experience and guarantee the most money for your gold coins.

Most Popular Gold Coins

There are many types of gold coins people buy and sell, from uncirculated, proof, and commemorative coins, both domestic and foreign. Below are some of the most popular gold coins to sell. These coins are well know, have high gold content and have potential for high numismatic value.



American Gold Eagle

The United States American Gold Eagle first went into circulation in 1986, and since then, it has grown to be one of the most sought-after gold coins in the world. The United States American Gold Eagle is available in four different sizes, each with a different face value: $5 face value (1/10 oz), $10 face value (1/4 oz), $25 face value (1/2 oz), and the $50 face value (1 oz coin).


Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (GML) is a gold bullion coin issued by the Government of Canada each year. The Royal Canadian Mint creates it. The Gold Maple Leaf has a face value of $50 Canadian dollars and is legal tender. The metal's market value fluctuates depending on the spot price of gold. With a millesimal fineness of.9999 (24 carats), and in some cases.99999, the coin is among the purest official bullion coins in the world. The standard version has a minimum weight of 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams). 1 gram, 125 oz. ($0.50), 120 oz. ($1), 110 oz. ($5), 14 oz. ($10), and 12 oz. ($20) are other sizes and denominations.


$10 Indian Head Gold Eagle

The United States Indian Head Eagle is a stunning gold coin design by renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The vintage $10 Indian Head gold coin was produced from 1907 to 1933, which helps to explain why the piece is now so scarce. The coin's obverse depicts Lady Liberty wearing a headdress, while the reverse depicts an eagle in a new twist on a traditional design. The Indian Head gold coin is also available in denominations of $2.50 and $5.


South African Krugerrand

The South African Krugerrand has grown in popularity and now sells more internationally than any other gold bullion coin. The South African Krugerrand is available in fractional ounces (with coins struck in half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and one-tenth ounce denominations) and its 22 carat alloy (with a copper weighting of 8.33%) indicates that the South African Krugerrand is more resistant when compared to fine gold coins (such as the Canada Maple Leaf). The Krugerrand, like the American gold eagle, contains one troy ounce of fine gold.


American Buffalo

The American Buffalo, also known as a gold buffalo, is a 24-karat bullion coin introduced by the United States Mint in 2006. The coin is designed after the Indian Head nickel and gets its name from the American Bison on the reverse side. This was the first time the United States Government issued pure 24-karat gold coins to the general public. The coin contains one troy ounce of pure gold and has a legal tender (face) value of US$50. The coin's value has increased significantly as a result of the coin's popularity and the rise in the price of gold.


Chinese Gold Panda

Since 1982, the Chinese Gold Panda has been produced by the People's Republic of China's Official Mint. Over the years, the gold series has dominated Asian bullion coinage offerings. Traditionally, they came in a variety of sizes ranging from one troy ounce to one twentieth of an ounce.

Changes in weight standards and denominations have been made to the China Gold Panda series since 2016. The metric system based on grams is now in use at the mint. Thus, a 500 Yuan coin containing .9645 troy ounce (or 30 grams) of gold is the Chinese Panda coin closest in weight to the common one troy ounce.


Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

The United States Mint issued the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, a twenty dollar gold coin, from 1907 to 1933. The coin bears the name of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a sculptor who created both the obverse and reverse. Many people believe it to be the most beautiful of all American coins.

Gold Coin Weights and Sizes

Gold bullion coins in ounces are typically issued in four sizes, each containing a specific weight of fine gold: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz. However, some mints also produce 1/20 oz bullion coins, and The Perth Mint (Australia) produces 10 kg and 1 kg bullion coins as part of its standard product line.

The 1 oz bullion coin, which uses more than 80% of the gold used to produce all other bullion coins denominated in ounces, is by far the most significant. This is because 1 oz coins typically have a smaller spread (the difference between the buying and selling price) and a lower percentage premium (mark-up) above the value of their fine gold content.

The smaller 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz coins were first released by the South African Mint in 1980, followed by the 1/20 oz coin by China Gold Coin Incorporation in 1983. Since 1991 and since 2006, the Perth Mint in Australia has produced 1 kg and 10 kg coins, respectively.

Where to Sell Your Gold Coins

One of the most common ways for a private investor to sell gold coins today is through an online dealer, which is popular because it allows sellers to lock in the current day's sales price and online buyers incur a lower overhead (fee) than most retail locations charge, that savings gets passed on to you. It is also easier and less time consuming to sell your gold online rather than in person.

If you want to sell some or all of your gold coins, you should go with a well-known, reputable dealer. The length of service of a company is one factor to consider. Sell Your Gold, for example, has been in business for over 50 years, has a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and offers a price match guarantee.