Adan Rivers


Gold Coins Bars, Then and Now

You have likely seen them countless times in pirate movies and TV shows. They shine and shimmer, and just looking at them makes one feel rich — or want to be.

Unlike the coins and bars of old, today’s gold coins and bars are classified as gold bullion, or gold bought in bulk form. They can be easily converted to cash anywhere in the world.

Bullion Gold Coins

Bullion gold coins are most valuable when their collector’s values are high. Uncirculated and proof versions are the most prized, since they are limited in number. The term “proof” comes from the purpose the coins serve: by being the first stamped, they verify the quality and precision of the coin dies meant to be used in minting coins for public use.

Among the most famous gold coins are the South African Krugerrand, Canadian Maple Leaf, Australian Nugget, Austrian Philharmonic, Britannia, and American Gold Eagle. It is called a sovereign because of the impressive size and depth of detail, and it shows a monarch on the front and the Royal coat of arms on the reverse.

Coins Over Bars

Bullion gold coins have numismatic value — that is, they are valued by coin collectors. Where a troy ounce of gold in ingot or bar form is worth a certain amount, the coins are worth their weight in gold plus minting fees plus collector’s premiums. Additionally, the value printed on the coin is no indication of its price. For example, on the 1-ounce American Gold Eagle, the value “Fifty Dollars” is stamped, but the coin is worth around 950 US dollars; a full nine times the face value, and almost ten percent more than the price of a gold bar of the same weight. Truly, these are worth more than their weight in gold!



Max Lloyd


Gold coin collectors everywhere are celebrating the soaring gold prices that have been seen in recent times. Coins and collections that were once valuable are now very valuable. For 2009, gold coin collecting will remain strong.

Proof gold coins are expected to be strong performers through 2009, as are rare date and early gold. With rare date and early gold coins, the better they look, the higher their value. Proof gold coins are rare by definition and those in F.D.C. (fleur de coin) condition are going to have the highest value.

The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is still one of the most beautiful, popular and sought after gold coins on the market, and will remain so for a long time. Saint Gaudens proof coins, and those with no motto (without In God We Trust) on them are more rare and therefore more highly valued.

Newly minted 24-kt Jackson’s Liberty First Spouse gold coins, both proof and uncirculated are going to be strong for the coming months. Other gold coins that are remaining high in popularity are the $10 Liberty and the $5 Liberty, the $5 Liberty Half-Eagle (with or without motto), American Gold Eagle bullion coins, the Commemorative US gold coins – 1988 Olympic (uncirculated) and 1986 Statue of Liberty, British Sovereign gold coin – King Edward 1902-1910, Canadian Maple Leaf, and the Australian Lunar gold coins – 2005 1 oz Gold Rooster and 2004 1-oz. Gold Monkey.

In uncertain financial times, gold is one thing whose value continues to remain strong if not rise. Consider adding any of these coins to your collection.

One of the best gold coin investment is Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coins. They represent great collectible and investment opportunity as they increase in price on average about 8% a year. Here is a little history on Saint Gaudens gold coins.

In the early 1900’s, President Theodore Roosevelt inquired of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens as to whether or not he would be interested in re-crafting the design or the nation’s coinage to look more like the coins of ancient Greece, where democracy first took root. What Saint Gaudens created was a breathtaking high relief design featuring the image of Miss Liberty on one side and a flying eagle on the other. This coin symbolized both the county’s strength while moving into the future and independence as a powerful and glorious nation.

Only a few proofs were struck, and then production began of the $20 gold coins. Because of the high relief, these coins were not the favorite of bankers (they wobbled when being stacked). Eventually the coin was altered to be flatter. Even though all of the Double Eagle gold coins are considered collectors items, those struck in high relief are more highly prized.

Interestingly, this incredible symbol of America was, for a time, produced without the motto “In God We Trust.” Roosevelt felt that it was sacrilegious to have that motto on coins that could be used for gambling. The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is indeed a symbol of greatness. A symbol of artistry, independence, strength and even the workings of our government, this gold coin has a history that spans a century and beauty that is unmatched.



gold coins investing
Dave Jackson


Right now you’re probably thinking that gold bullion investing is something best left to the pros. Yes, the majority of traders making noise are professional investors. But there are some easy ways to get into the bullion market, and gold could be a good investment for you.

Of all things to invest in, gold is probably one of the most liquid investments. And much unlike many of the other commodities, it is literally traded 24 hours a day everywhere in the world. This means you can buy and sell gold in about any country.

Mom always said to not put all your eggs in one basket, and this is why gold should form the foundation in your overall investment portfolio. If you have only paper in your portfolio, know that gold tends to move in the opposite direction of paper investments.

It really stands out as a diversifier. With your stocks, bonds and cash, gold can help offset fluctuations in the market. There are a lot of financial advisers that recommend having 5 to 10 percent of gold in their portfolio.

A real good way to get into the gold bullion market is by investing in the American Eagle. This coin is the only bullion coin whose weight, content, and purity are backed by the United States government. Think of the confidence you can have buying them.

American Eagle gold coins require no assaying and they can be converted to cash at any moment. Simple to keep track of, American Eagles are tied to the spot gold price, plus a small premium to cover mintage and distribution.

Many have used American Eagle gold bullion coin in their Individual Retirement Accounts or other tax-advantaged plans. It just makes good sense to at least consider looking into the American Eagle. If you thought that investing in gold was too hard or too tricky, read our reports to see why now is the very best time to invest.



gold coins investing
Scott Michaels


Gold. Rare, beautiful, and unique. Treasured as a store of value for thousands of years, it is an important and secure asset. It has maintained its long term value, is not directly affected by the economic policies of individual countries and doesn’t depend on a ‘promise to pay’.

Completely free of credit risk, although it bears a market risk gold has always been a secure refuge in unsettled times. Its ‘safe haven’ attributes attract wise investors. Gold has proved itself to be an effective way to manage wealth.

For at least 200 years the price of gold has kept pace with inflation. Another important reason to invest in gold is its consistent delivery within a portfolio of assets. Its performance tends to move independently of other investments and of key economic indicators. Even a small weighting of gold in an investment portfolio can help reduce overall risk.

Most investment portfolios are invested primarily in traditional financial assets such as stocks and bonds. The reason for holding diverse investments is to protect the portfolio against fluctuations in the value of any single asset class.

Portfolios that contain gold are generally more robust and better able to cope with market ncertainties than those that don’t. Adding gold to a portfolio introduces an entirely different class of asset.

Gold is unusual because it is both a commodity and a monetary asset. It is an ‘effective diversifier’ because its performance tends to move independently of other investments and key economic indicators.

Studies have shown that traditional diversifiers (such as bonds and alternative assets) often fail during times of market stress or instability. Even a small allocation of gold has been proven to significantly improve the consistency of portfolio performance during both stable and unstable financial periods.

Gold improves the stability and predictability of returns. It is not correlated with other assets because the gold price is not driven by the same factors that drive the performance of other assets. Gold is also significantly less volatile than practically all equity indices.

The value of gold, in terms of real goods and services that it can buy,has remained remarkably stable. In contrast, the purchasing power of many currencies has generally declined.

Traditionally, access to the gold market has been through: investment in physical gold, usually as gold coins or small bars,or, for larger quantities, by way of the over the counter market; gold futures and options; gold mining equities, often packaged in gold-oriented mutual funds.



gold coins investing
Daniel Millions


Very few people are so rich or so secure that they never worry about their money, and for the rest of us, there’s gold! With today’s fluctuating market, more and more people have returned to this standard of wealth for a degree of security that has become harder and harder to find. While some people decide that they want to horde gold jewelry in their mattresses for the next Depression, other people take the time to decide on what pieces they want to invest in.

Investing in gold is an ancient tactic which has been in practice for thousands years. There are so many motives and causes behind this investment. Some do it in hope of future increment other do it because they just like and love this sparkling yellow metal where some do it because they hope to increase their value.

There are many advantages to investing in gold. When governments struggle with paper currency and minted coins, gold could usually be depended on to maintain the buying power that people needed. While the price of gold might have fluctuated, it has never done so as wildly or as unexpectedly as printed currency. You’ll also find that gold is quite liquid, meaning that it can be transferred and manipulated quite easily.

When you are looking to buy gold for investment, you’ll find that there are many forms of this precious metal that even a buyer with even a limited amount of buying power can afford. On a very small scale, you can consider things like gold jewelry, but this is on a level that is quite private. When you think about buying gold, think about things like gold bullion products and gold coins. These are recognized units that have a worth that is easily determined, and you’ll find that they are a significantly sounder investment.

When you start looking for gold coins and gold bullion, you’ll find that there is more value in some pieces than others. Take gold coins, for example. If a gold coin has some sort of historical value, it’s value will increase over the cost of the gold alone, which might already be considerable. In this way, you can have the advantage of purchasing gold jewelry as well as the advantage of buying something as solid and stable as a gold coin.

You’ll also find that that the rarer a gold coin is, the more valuable it will be. With the increase of specialized auctions for Coins collector organized these last years, some lucky owners have sold one coin at a much higher value than their real value.

Many people have decided that in these uncertain times that they need to diversify their portfolio, and gold is a great way to do that. Gold gives you a certain stability that other investments lack, and it can be the anchor that holds your finances together through rough times. Take some time to research this investment, and speak with your financial adviser about it as well. Think about what your needs are, and see if gold can keep you solvent while you make riskier investments.



gold coins investing
eCommerce Associates


Measured in gold, the DOW is now about 9 oz of gold. It was over 50 oz about 7 years ago. The DOW is down, not 40%, but about 80% in real terms. It will go to one or two oz of gold eventually and lose 95% of its real value. I think we will see a gold/dow crossover at about 4000….DOW at 4000 points, gold at $4000/oz. This is when gold should be sold and whatever companies that are left standing should be bought. It’s the trade of a lifetime.

Those who hold a lot of gold will be able to buy real income producing assets at a fraction of their current worth. Gold ownership may be outlawed or restricted in some other way in this country before this is over. If you hold gold, hold it in secret and preferably out of the country.

You may think this is a bit over the top…but it isn’t in my opinion. During the great depression, the Fed outlawed ownership of gold and confiscated it all from the population, robbing them of their only wealth. Personally, I’m not willing to take the risk that this will happen again.

I’ve been banging on about Gold forever. A huge spike in gold prices is close…but this really is your last chance to get it in volume. It’s hard to get already…the US mint has run out and rationing is now in place in almost every country and at bullion dealers…the speed of this has taken even me by surprise… just look at the spreads over spot rates on eBay for 1oz gold coins…they are incredible. Dealers have “buy it now” listings on eBay for 1 oz gold coins at $1150….a more than 35% premium to an $850 spot price! There are 50% spreads on 1 oz silver coins….Incredible…what other investment is sold at a 35% or 50% premium and is still producing a scramble? I’ve never seen anything like it!

This article was written for eCommerce Associate for their Bank — Accounts and Financial sites



gold coins investing
Gareth Bray


We use money on daily basis and almost every day we spend money. It is in fact the lifeblood of the people nowadays as every moment you move; more or less you will spend money. It is an important factor in our day to day living and our survival. With these in our pockets or wallets every day, have we not wondered where this money originated and the numismatic gold coin value?

Long before the technology has been developed the world of business is already there. Their commerce is made through the barter trading system. Things and commodities are bought and paid through goods also. It means if you want to have a sack of rice, you need to pay the seller with maybe a sack of corn. This is how the old system works until technology evolves. The inventions of modern technologies grew larger and made people’s lifestyle easier. Before they do pay goods in exchange of what they want to buy but now people are using currency or money. Anything nowadays has a certain value which is expressed in money. We used it anywhere and everywhere. Money has become the center of everything and a means of survival for everybody.

Money has a various forms from coins to paper bills. There is a scientific study of currency and its history called numismatics. While those who collect coins, who study payments and debts and exchange of goods is called numismatist.

Numismatist gives the history and gives value to new produced coins. There are billions of coins being produced everyday and it is given value with basis of their gold weight and the numismatic gold coin value. There are many contributing factors that will determine the numismatic gold coin. It is identified through looking at some factors such as the rarity and original number of coins that are minted, the years that the coin existed from the year it had been produced and used, and the form and structure of the coin. This is what they referred as the coin grading.

The numismatic gold coins are graded according to its condition and consequently will determine the value of the coin. The grading can be considered as the poorest state to an excellent condition. Collectors usually check if there are any scratches and marks in the structure of the coins, the value decreases. Like any other currency, there are changes when the stock market increases or decreases. The numismatic gold coins are being sold to group of community who also collects gold coins, the value or amount of the numismatic gold coin will depend on the present price of gold. This numismatic gold is valued because they carry historical events and their craftsmanship and their expected value for investment.

When the numismatic gold coin has been evaluated, graded and authenticated by certified companies like Professional Coin Grading Services or in the Numismatic Guarantee Corporation it is sealed and put in the protective plastic case. This is a very important process to follow as it protects the coins from any scratches on the surface. It will protect its appearance. Remember that your any scratch or damage will mean a depreciation of its original value.



gold coins investing
Tim Anderson


ecting is said to be the “Hobby of the Kings.” Coin collecting is different from money collecting. Collecting coins as an art form can be traced back to the 14th century. Today, people all over the world are collecting coins. Some collect it for their value, some just for the fun that they get from getting their hands on coins.

Most coin collectors, start out as informal coin collectors. They are leisurely collectors which do not have a specific goal in collecting coins. They collect coins from different countries or from different time periods as opposed to

an advanced coin collector who will collect coins with a specific target in mind. He may want to collect coins from a certain nation, or a certain time period. Many coin collectors would want to collect coins from a certain country during a certain period of time. This kind of coin collection lets the collector travel around the globe through the coins. People may want to collect coins from countries they had visited.

Another way of collecting coins is by taking history in mind. Many coin collectors engage in collecting coins during a certain period in history such as wars or Declarations of Independence.

Error coins

There are people who find coins with errors because these kinds of coins are rare now.

There are many ways to collect coins. One must feel the urge to obtain a hobby first before he decides whether to stick with it or not. Coin collecting can require certain amounts of money and the collector must be wise in engaging in such a hobby.

Numismatics today is a hobby that many people enjoy. One of the most cherished and most valuable collections that anyone can ever have are those of gold coins. The most expensive gold coin ever bought was worth around eight million dollars. This was the American 1933 Gold Eagle. This is why the collecting of gold coins deserves to be called the hobby of kings.

Since gold coins are no longer in circulation, the price for one of this rare commodity is quite high. Gold is now used for other things such as jewelry or plates that people retain as an investment.

Since gold coins can no longer be used to purchase merchandise, most coin collectors just keep them to remember that people had once used them.

A lot of people keep gold today as an investment because they assume that the demand will cause its market value to increase. Others hold it as a form of insurance should the financial situation become worse. Even billionaire Soros recommends investing in gold, including buying gold coins this days. Soros is so good at understanding the economy, he was even able to drug down 12% British pounds and make more than 1 billion in one day! This is why when he speaks about economy, the whole world is listening.



gold coins investing
G Smith


Coin collecting goes back over many centuries. It is man’s inborn nature to collect something. And coins are one of the most popular collectable objects. The collection of coins, whether by professionals or amateurs, is called Numismatics. This article is a list with the most popular coins made from precious metals. People always collect coins, especially ones which are minted from precious metals like gold, silver and in later years from platinum. The early technology of coin-making was very primitive for many centuries. And many sorts of coins had very varied shapes.

It is well known that the first coins were minted in Lydia (this kingdom was placed in the south western part of modern day Turkey) in about 560 BC. And those coins were made of gold. The first silver coins were coined in Greece, in the state city of Argos in about 700 BC.

The first platinum coins were coined in Russia in 1828. There were 3, 6, and 12 ruble coins. The minting of Russian platinum coins was stopped in 1844. Platinum coins were never used as widely as gold coins and silver ones. Some other countries minted coins made from platinum, but they were commemorative coins for collectors, not intended for daily use.

Every country has minted gold and/or silver coins. There was a long period when people used gold and silver coins as an instrument of payment in their daily lives. But from 1933 year making gold coins was almost stopped for daily use in all countries of the world. Many countries still mint coins from precious metals, but their minting is for commemorative coins that are not made for daily shopping, such as in supermarkets. This is because the precious metals scrap price of the precious metal present in most of these coins now is higher than their face value as legal tender coins. Precious metal refiners such as http://www.goldscrap.co.uk/ will accept all types of Gold, Silver and Platinum bullion coins and scrap metals, paying the highest rates for your investment bullion and coins.

There are almost as many reasons for collecting coins as there are people collecting them. First of all, gold, platinum, silver and other precious metals has always been one of the best ways for keeping and increasing your savings. This means gold, platinum and silver coin collections are a good idea for your investments. Really, sometimes your coin investments can increase in value from 25% to 100% per year. What Bank can offer you so large a yearly income? Of course, you are unable to get any cash until you sell your coins. Investment in gold coins, platinum coins and silver coins is not generally subject to reducing prices. Make sure, you chose a coin dealer that has a good reputation before you start to invest your money in any coins. Conduct research on how long a dealer has been in this business. Never purchase coins from an unknown dealer, if you cannot check his/her business reputation. Because there are a lot of swindlers trying to sell fake coins these days. So, be careful every time when you buy coins from new sellers.

Three main factors determine the value of coins – condition, rarity and age. The value of commemorative gold, silver and platinum coins is always more than their face value. And prices are growing quickly on many commemorative coins and coins bearing certain dates. In some cases, the price can increase by up to 200% in just one year! Also it is a very interesting hobby to collect coins. Every coin is a piece of the human history, and you can touch this history your own hand.



gold coins investing
Christina Goldman


an adorable image of a Panda bear, the Chinese Panda Gold Coin has become one of the most sought after gold bullion coins. Here are twenty-one facts about this unique premium gold bullion coin.

1. The Chinese Panda coin was first issued in 1982, as a limited-edition gold bullion coin.

2. Each coin features a cute Panda bear on the obtuse side of the coin.

3. The 2008 Panda coin is the 26th different design in the series, featuring an adult Panda and a cub munching on some bamboo stalks.

4. The gold Panda design was changed every year through 2000.

5. The Chinese government invoked a freeze on the design in 2001.

6. Only the 2001 and 2002 issues feature the same design, however.

7. The freeze was lifted in 1983 in response to demand by collectors of the coin.

8. Four different sizes of coins were issued the first year – 1/10 ounce, ¼ ounce, ½ ounce and 1 full troy ounce size.

9. The Chinese mint added a 1/20th ounce size coin in 1983.

10. The larger sized 5 troy ounce and 10 troy ounce coins were added in 1986.

11. The Chinese gold panda coin is only one of few gold coins issued worldwide in this size.

12. The coins have a purity of .999 gold.

13. The coins are not technically proof but a ‘proof-like’ brilliant uncirculated condition.

14. Proof sets were issued in 1986 through 1995. These proof sets command a much higher premium because of their limited issue and scarcity.

15. The Panda coins have a much smaller mintage, compared to other gold bullion coins such as the American Eagle, and Canadian Maple Leaf.

16. The earlier dated Pandas, in particular, have a very small mintage. The mintage of the 1982 one troy ounce Panda coin had a mintage of under 14,000.

17. 289,000 is largest mintage of any one troy ounce Panda coin.

18. In 1987, China issued the gold Pandas with two different mint marks – Y and S. A third mint mark was issued for the boxed proof set.

19. Additional commemorative issues of Panda gold coins were issued and distributed at coin conventions.

20. Ownership of the gold Panda coin was prohibited in China until 2004.

21. Panda coin jewelry is very popular. The one troy ounce coins are commonly used for necklace mountings. The smaller sized Pandas are used to create earrings, bracelets and pendants.

As you can see, the Chinese Panda gold coin is truly an exquisite, rare, fine bullion coin that every gold collector would be proud to own!



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