Investing in Gold coins is popular because they are easy to transport and sell, boosting the liquidity of your investment. APMEX lists the top 10 gold coins that are highly recognized and widely available.
The South African Krugerrand is the world’s first bullion coin and still a favorite thanks to its depiction of the springbok antelope. It is also the most affordable gold coin of its kind.
1. Krugerrand
First minted in 1967, the gold Krugerrand became a major success by the 1980s. It was the first ounce denominated coin that did not contain any face value, allowing it to trade at current gold prices instead of a specific currency amount.
It was also the first coin to use copper in its composition to help make it more durable. Its obverse features the image of Boer statesman Paul Kruger, while its reverse depicts the springbok antelope, South Africa’s national animal. The coin’s popularity prompted other countries to start minting their own one-ounce gold bullion coins, like Canada’s Gold Maple Leaf and China’s Gold Panda.
This 22 karat gold bullion coin contains one troy ounce of pure gold. Its beauty and reputation have made it a staple among collectors for generations.
2. Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The Maple Leaf gold coin is one of the most popular gold bullion coins on the market today. These 1 oz gold bullion coins are recognized for their high purity and detailed design.
They have been a popular choice for investors and collectors for over four decades, with the obverse featuring an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and the reverse displaying Canada’s national symbol, the Maple Leaf.
First minted in 1979, the Maple Leaf was the first official bullion coin to rival the South African Krugerrand. Over the years, the Canadian Mint has raised the gold coin’s purity level from.9999 to its current.99999 fineness. They are the perfect option for those who want to invest in the world’s most purified gold bullion coin.
3. American Gold Buffalo
The American Gold Buffalo was introduced in 2006 and marks the first time the United States Mint created a pure 24 karat (.9999 fine) gold bullion coin. The coin is a homage to the American West and features an image of a buffalo on one side and a portrait of a Native American on the other.
The obverse design copies James Earle Fraser’s Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel of 1913, which features the portrait of an American Indian Chief. The reverse showcases the majestic American bison and has inscriptions of “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “In God We Trust.”
The 1 oz American Gold Buffalo is available each year in both circulating bullion and Proof coins, with the latter earning a premium based on their exceptional quality as evidenced by a high grading score from one of the major coin grading companies.
4. Gold Libertad
In the world of gold bullion coins, few offer beauty and history like the Mexican Gold Libertad. Although not a coin in the truest sense of the word since they do not have a face value, the Mexican Mint still produces the beautiful Gold Libertads under its authority and with the backing of the Mexican government.
Modern Gold Libertads feature a revitalized image of the Winged Victory statue on the reverse, with the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl in the background. The obverse displays Mexico’s National Shield, featuring a golden eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus using its beak and talons to battle a serpent.
Gold Libertads are strikingly attractive bullion coins with a limited mintage. JM Bullion offers a wide selection of randomly dated Gold Libertads, many graded by either Numismatic Guaranty Corporation or Professional Coin Grading Service.
5. Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt asked sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to lead an effort to redesign American coinage. What emerged is the gold $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a coin many consider to be the most beautiful ever produced.
St-Gaudens died on August 3, 1907 before he could see his work enter circulation. It was his assistant, Henry Hering, who would complete the high-relief coins that were based on Saint-Gaudens original design, and would be dogged by vicious objections from Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.
The obverse depicts Liberty striding forward, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The Capitol dome is visible behind her. On the reverse, an eagle flies through rays of sun. The edge reads, “United States of America – Twenty Dollars.” The 1907 issue shows the date in Roman numerals, though that was changed to Arabic numerals in mid-1908. These rare coins are in extremely limited supply with an increasing demand.
