Gold Coins Overview

When it comes to investing in physical gold, there are numerous choices available. Investors can go with gold bullion bars, bullion coins, collectibles and more. Although gold coins may have slightly higher premiums than gold bullion bars, the coins also carry a face value and are considered good, legal tender. Investors do not buy gold coins for their face value, however, they buy them for their gold content or collectibility. Gold coins offer investors a way to invest in gold that is simple, convenient and efficient.

Gold coins are small and can therefore be stored in a home safe, a bank safe deposit box or in the depository of your choice. Gold coin offerings have expanded greatly over the years, and now come in numerous weights. Smaller weight gold coins may be relatively more affordable and might be a good choice for smaller investors and those on a tight budget. In addition, certain gold coins may be eligible for purchase in an IRA account. Of course, you should check with your tax professional about rules and eligibility before purchasing gold coins for an IRA account.

Gold coins are minted by numerous government mints and come in numerous sizes and with many different designs. Highlighted below are some of the most popular gold coins on the market today:

• The 1 ounce American Gold Eagle: The American Gold Eagle coin is one of the most popular gold coins in the world. It is produced by the U.S. Mint and carries a face value of $50. The coin is 22 karat gold, and therefore has a purity of 91.67%. The coin contains one full troy ounce of gold. These coins feature the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Lady Liberty image.

• The 1 ounce Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf features the iconic Canadian maple leaf design and is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin is  minted with 999.9 percent fine gold, making it one of the purest gold coins on the market today. The coin has a $50 CAD face value.

• The 1 ounce Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coin: This stunning gold coin is produced by the Austrian Mint and contains 1 troy ounce of 999.9 percent fine gold. The coin’s design pays tribute to the Austrian Philharmonic Orchestra and it carries a face value of 100 euros (it previously was denominated using the Austrian Schilling).

Although 1 ounce gold coins may be some of the most popular, smaller gold coins have also gained traction with investors. Gold coins are available in many smaller weights including 1/25th of an ounce, 1/10th of an ounce, ¼ ounce and ½ ounce. These coins may carry smaller face values as in addition to containing a smaller amount of gold.  

Whatever gold coins you choose, you can buy them with confidence as they are minted by some of the finest mints in the world. As an investment, gold coins offer a simple and convenient way to acquire gold bullion while building a portfolio of different coins.