Gold coins offer a unique opportunity to get “bang for your buck” when it comes to investing in precious metals. These coins are highly liquid, easily identifiable and offer an excellent return on investment.
The American Gold Eagle is a well-known coin with instantly recognisable design. It features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ renowned design and is available in various fractional sizes to suit any budget.
The American Gold Buffalo
The American Gold Buffalo is one of the purest bullion coins on the market. Each coin is minted in the US Mint and has a purity, weight, and content guarantee by the US government. These coins are also available in different sizes, including 1 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1/4 oz bullion coins, as well as 1/10 oz proof coins. The obverse of the American Buffalo Gold coin features the profile of a Native American man, which is actually a composite image of three different Native American chiefs from different tribes: Big Tree (Kiowa Tribe), Iron Tail (Oglala Lakota Tribe), and Two Moons (Cheyenne Tribe).
The reverse depicts a bison, an enduring symbol of the American West. The coin’s obverse and reverse designs were created by James Earle Fraser, who was a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. These coins are a popular choice for investors because of their beauty, historical significance, and legal tender status. They are a great option for diversifying investment portfolios and preserving wealth for generations to come.
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is the most popular bullion coin from the Royal Canadian Mint and one of the best value gold coins. These 1 oz varied year gold bullion coins are struck from extra-pure.9999 fine gold with an actual gold weight of one troy ounce and a legal tender face value of $50 CAD.
The coin’s front or obverse features a right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Royal Canadian Mint engraver Emanuel Ayers. The coin’s name, weight, purity, and the year of mintage appear below her bust.
The coin’s reverse features Canada’s iconic maple leaf, along with a series of precision-engraved radial lines and a micro-engraved privy mark that displays the last two digits of the release year. These security features make the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf among the world’s best value gold coins for investors who want the diversification and financial insurance that a physical investment provides. These gold bullion coins are also eligible for inclusion in a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which is why so many investors choose to add them to their precious metals portfolios.
The Krugerrand
The South African Krugerrand is one of the most popular gold bullion coins in the world. It was first minted in 1967 to help promote and market the country’s growing gold mining industry. This 22k 1 oz coin has become famous for its beauty, quality, and investment value.
The coin’s name comes from a compound word combining Paul Kruger, the country’s president at that time, and rand, which refers to the currency of South Africa. The obverse of the coin features the profile of Paul Kruger. The reverse shows a springbok antelope, which is the national animal of South Africa.
Unlike many other bullion coins, the Krugerrand does not have a currency face value and instead floats with the gold price. Since 1980, smaller fractional sizes have been produced as well; these include 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 oz gold Krugerrands. This variety makes it easy for investors to diversify their holdings. These smaller coins also have lower premiums than the standard Krugerrand.
The South African Krugerrand
The South African Krugerrand was the first modern gold bullion coin and remains one of the most popular investments today. Introduced in 1967, it enabled private ownership of gold and set a standard that many other gold coins would follow.
Its obverse features the left-profile portrait of Paul Kruger, a Boer statesman and military leader who served as president of the previous South African Republic, while the reverse depicts a springbok antelope. The name Krugerrand is a combination of his name and the Afrikaans word for rand (South Africa’s currency).
Unlike most other bullion coins, the Krugerrand doesn’t carry a monetary face value. Instead, its value is directly tied to the current market price of gold, making it a straightforward investment option. Additionally, it’s available in a variety of sizes, including 1 oz, 1/2 oz and 1/4 oz. This provides investors and collectors with flexibility when determining their investment strategy. The coin is 22 karats and 90% gold, with copper content adding strength and durability.