Four-Coin Type Sets from the Netherlands

King Willem III, Queen Wilhelmina (Long Hair, Mature, Elder)
.1947 troy ounce per coin – .7788 troy ounce per set

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These four coin sets from the Netherlands are offered in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and comprise all 10 Guilder denominated coinage minted from 1875-1933.  The ‘Long Hair’ Wilhelmina variety is exceptionally rare, minted for just one year (1897) and a total mintage of just 450,000.  The World Gold Coin Catalog suggest a retail value for this coin of $450 by iteself.  King Willem 10 Guilders are also hard to come by, especially in uncirculated condition.  The later Wilhelmina coins are more common, and perenially act as a foundational position for asset-preservation minded gold owners seeking divisible negotiability and insulation against government intervention risk.

Historical Note Queen Wilhelmina:  

Queen Wilhelmina, ‘no-one’s fool’, ascended the throne at a young age after the parliament passed a special law allowing a woman to become monarch. She first displayed an incisive intelligence during a meeting with the powerful Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany prior to World War I. Wilhelm boasted to the young Wilhelmina that “my guards are seven feel tall and yours are only shoulder high to them.” To this she replied politely: “Quite true, Your Majesty, your guards are seven feet tall, but when we open our dikes, the water is ten feet deep!”

Later, Wilhelmina would display this same acumen in the world of business and finance. She amassed a fortune through various business dealings and investments that surpassed a billion dollars, making her the first female billionaire in history. She moved throughout her life in the highest circles of international finance. Known for her spunk, she called Adolf Hitler “the archenemy of mankind” after being forced to leave Holland for England during the German invasion. In 1953, when the country was devastated by floods, she bicycled the countryside at 73 years of age offering hope and inspiration to the Dutch people. Her rule lasted a remarkable fifty-eight years. This series — both the king and queen varieties — remains a popular addition to accumulations in both the United States and Europe.

Five-Coin Type Sets from Britain

Queen Victoria Young (AU), Jubilee (AU), Veil (UNC), King Edward (UNC), George (BU)

.2354 troy ounce per coin – 1.177 troy ounce per set

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These Five Coin Type Sets from Britain contain all five full Sovereigns minted during the rules of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V, representing almost 100 years of British Rule. The earlier Queen varieites are the hardest to come by, and are usually found in lightly circulated condition. The later Queen Victoria (Veil), as well as the two King types, collectively represent the most well-recognized coinage in the world, used as the global monetary standard, store of value, and means for exchange during the height of the British Empire.

Historical Note on Queen Victoria:

Queen Victoria ruled England for nearly 64 years from 1837-1901, making her one of the longest ruling monarchs in history. She presided over the dramatic expansion of British influence and territorial rule such that during her reign, “The sun never set on the British Empire”. By the time she died, Britain had become the largest empire the world had ever known, and presided over roughly 1/4 of the world’s population. She celebrated her Golden Jubilee (50 years of reign) in 1887 – as signified by the “Jubilee” desing Sovereign – and her Diamond Jubliee (60 years of reign) 10 years later.

Historical Note on King Edward and King George:

The Edwardian era, named for Edward VII (right), differed sharply from the rigid and puritanical Victorian age which preceded it. Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, and ruled Britain from 1901-1910. Queen Victoria insisted on an incredibly strict regimen for Edward, while never allowing his involvement in political affairs. As a result, Edward led a rebellious, indulgent lifestyle that many felt would compromise his ability to be an effective monarch. To the chagrin of his critics, Edward ruled peacefully and effectively during his reign, saving Britain from a budgetary crisis and strengthening relationships with European powers. Edward’s reign was a brief and happy time of peace and prosperity for Britain before the shadow of World War I descended upon Europe. He died in 1910 of a heart attack.

His second son, George V (left with wife, Queen Mary) succeeded his rule in 1910. George led Britain through World War I and the negative effects brought on by the Depression of 1929-1931. English Historian Robert Lacey describes George: “. . . as his official biographer felt compelled to admit, King George V was distinguished ‘by no exercise of social gifts, by no personal magnetism, by no intellectual powers. He was neither a wit nor a brilliant raconteur, neither well-read nor well-educated, and he made no great contribution to enlightened social converse. He lacked intellectual curiosity and only late in life acquired some measure of artistic taste.’ He was, in other words, exactly like most of his subjects. He discovered a new job for modern kings and queens to do — representation.” George V and his wife, Queen Mary, made the monarchy a symbol of conservative, middle-class virtue. George relinquished his German titles and adopted the name of Windsor for the British royal house.

Four-Coin U.S. Liberty Type Set MS63
$20 Liberty Mint State 63; $10 Liberty MS63;
$5 Liberty MS63; $2.5 Liberty MS63;

All graded by PCGS or NGC
Highly Popular Semi-Numismatic Items

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Featuring the four prominent gold coins in circulation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, our United States four-coin type sets offer the opportunity to purchase an important piece of American history at cyclically low prices.  We offer these sets in the very collectible Mint State 63 and 64 grades – a high state of preservation with pleasing visual appeal.  The $10 Indian and $20 St. Gaudens gold coins were designed by famed sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens under the direction of Theodore Roosevelt, who, in 1907, sought to ‘beautify American coinage’. The $5 and $2.5 Indian coins were designed by Bella Pratt, who stepped in after St. Gaudens death in 1907 to complete the series. Christian Gobrecht designed the earlier Liberty type. All our sets are graded by PCGS and/or NGC – the two most widely-accepted independent grading services and include common-date items from the largest mintages or surviving populations.

Four-Coin U.S. St. Gaudens/Indian Type Set MS64
$20 St. Gaudens Mint State 64; $10 Indian MS64;
$5 Indian MS64; $2.5 Indian MS64;

All graded by PCGS or NGC
Highly Popular Semi-Numismatic Items

Featuring the four prominent gold coins in circulation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, our United States four-coin type sets offer the opportunity to purchase an important piece of American history at cyclically low prices.  We offer these sets in the very collectible Mint State 63 and 64 grades – a high state of preservation with pleasing visual appeal.  The $10 Indian and $20 St. Gaudens gold coins were designed by famed sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens under the direction of Theodore Roosevelt, who, in 1907, sought to ‘beautify American coinage’. The $5 and $2.5 Indian coins were designed by Bella Pratt, who stepped in after St. Gaudens death in 1907 to complete the series. Christian Gobrecht designed the earlier Liberty type. All our sets are graded by PCGS and/or NGC – the two most widely-accepted independent grading services and include common-date items from the largest mintages or surviving populations.

Only roughly 15,000 coins of the $5 Indians have achieved grade Mint State 64 when combining both PCGS and NGC graded coins.  As such, a maximum of just roughly 15,000 four coin sets can even be completed in Mint State 64, though far few likely do exist intact, as numerous coins are owned outside the context of a ‘set’.

Four-Coin U.S. St. Gaudens/Indian Type Set MS63
$20 St. Gaudens Mint State 63; $10 Indian MS63;
$5 Indian MS63; $2.5 Indian MS63;

All graded by PCGS or NGC
Highly Popular Semi-Numismatic Items

Featuring the four prominent gold coins in circulation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, our United States four-coin type sets offer the opportunity to purchase an important piece of American history at cyclically low prices.  We offer these sets in the very collectible Mint State 63 and 64 grades – a high state of preservation with pleasing visual appeal.  The $10 Indian and $20 St. Gaudens gold coins were designed by famed sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens under the direction of Theodore Roosevelt, who, in 1907, sought to ‘beautify American coinage’. The $5 and $2.5 Indian coins were designed by Bella Pratt, who stepped in after St. Gaudens death in 1907 to complete the series. Christian Gobrecht designed the earlier Liberty type. All our sets are graded by PCGS and/or NGC – the two most widely-accepted independent grading services and include common-date items from the largest mintages or surviving populations.

$20 Gold Piece 5-Piece Index Set
Includes:  $20 Liberty Mint State 63 & 64;
$20 St. Gaudens Mint State 63, 64 & 65
(One each)
All graded by PCGS or NGC
Semi-numismatic items

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This research report details the price and premium history of­ the Mint State (MS)63 and MS64 United States $20 Liberty and the MS63, MS64, and MS65 $20 St. Gaudens gold coins. Pictured above is a brief explanation of the Mint State grading scale for semi-numismatic gold coins. As you move to the right across the scale, the condition of the coins improves and their scarcity increases (total availability decreases). The value of that scarcity is represented through the premium, or value of the coin above and beyond the value of its underlying gold content. The premium a coin carries is directly correlated to its rarity, and the more value a coin carries in its rarity, the more volatile its price changes will be. As such, moving right along the scale naturally increases risk/reward opportunities.

Below you will find both price history and premium history graphs for the five coin index set. The two charts can be used in conjunction to evaluate the current market conditions for these gold coins. Buying when the premium cycles are at or near all time lows has proven to be an ideal investment strategy.

Downside risk in these coins is divided into two categories: Premium risk, and the risk associated with the price of gold. By purchasing at a level where the premium is at or near an all time low, exposure to loss of value through declining premiums is mitigated. In other words, by buying ‘right’ investors can enjoy all the increased upside potential inherent in these coins without adding substantially more risk to their position than that of gold itself. Conversely, if one buys when premiums are too high, he stands to see compounded losses if both gold and premiums should decline together, or risks abbreviated gains should gold move higher, but premiums move lower.

Charted here is the USAGOLD Index of Graded $20 Gold Pieces – Premium (above) & Price (below). The Index of Graded $20 Gold Pieces contains one each Mint State (MS) 63 and MS 64 United States $20 Liberty and one each MS63, MS64, and MS65 $20 St. Gaudens gold coins and combines them into a five-coin market index. This index removes the volatility possible when tracking individual coins to provide a more accurate general market snapshot for graded $20 gold pieces. Take some time to study these charts closely. The premium as listed on the y (vertical)-axis should be read as a multiplier of the gold price.  In other words, a coin premium of 2 is equal to double the gold price, and a coin premium of 3 is equal to 3 times the gold price.

In short, the graded $20 gold piece market works well for those looking to increase the risk/reward factor in their gold holdings. If approached carefully and prudently, investors can enjoy great success in this market. Due simply to the fact that these coins trend with the gold price rather than track it directly (as seen in the price graph above), our advice is not to utilize these coins as the sole position in one’s gold holdings, but instead as a component in a balanced portfolio. We recommend a three to five year minimum holding period for these items.

United States $10 Liberty
Grade:  Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1866 – 1907
Actual Gold Content: .48375 troy ounce

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Referred to as the Liberty Eagle, the US $10 Liberty Gold Coin depicts the crowned image of Lady Liberty on the obverse, surrounded by 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies. On the reverse is the traditional bald eagle image, with a shield on its breast, clasping three arrows in its left talon (sinister) and an olive branch in its right (dexter), symbolizing the power of Congress to bring both war and peace, respectively. The eagle’s head is turned to the right, signaling its preference for peace. On an interesting side note, the seal for the President of the United States was virtually the same, except the eagle faced the talon holding the arrows. In 1945, Harry S Truman changed it so that the seals were the same. Christian Gobrecht, most famous for the “seated liberty” design seen on dimes, quarters, and half dollars during this era, designed the Liberty series presented here.

$10 Liberties survived at lower rates than the larger $20 varieties following the gold recall of 1933 and are a good deal scarcer as a result.  When two $10’s can be obtained for close to the same price of a $20, investors would be wise to accumulate.

United States $10 Indian
Grade:  Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1907 – 1933
Actual Gold Content: .48375 troy ounce
 

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The U.S. $10 Indian Gold Coins were minted from 1907 until 1933 and designed by the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The $10 “Indian” was surprisingly controversial in its time, though later became accepted and praised as perhaps the most exquisite coin design in US history. When the coin was introduced in 1907, many Americans were taken aback by the obverse of the coin, featuring Lady Liberty adorned in a full Indian war bonnet, and even further disgruntled by Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to exclude the motto “In God We Trust.” Eventually, the public came to appreciate the “Indian” design, and in response to public outcry, the motto was added to the coins in 1908. The outer rim of the coin contained 42 stars, one representing each state in the union, until 1912 when the number was increased to 44 to recognize the addition of Arizona and New Mexico to the Union. A perching eagle is pictured on the reverse.

$10 Indians are scarcer and typically more expensive compared to their $10 Liberty design counterparts.  When they can be obtained for similar prices, investors should opt for the $10 Indians.

United States $20 St. Gaudens
Grade: Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted: 1907 – 1932
Actual Gold Content: .9675 troy ounce

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One could argue that US. $20 St. Gaudens Gold Coins are one of the best portfolio choices for asset preservation/safety-net oriented owners.  Owners seeking portfolio protection will appreciate the fact the these coins, while trending directly with the spot price of gold over time, also participate in the periods of premium expansion seen during ‘flight to safety episodes’ – the most recent of which occurred during 2008/09 financial crisis (see graphs below).  Such ‘double-barrel’ profit potential is only accentuated by the $20 St. Gaudens’ historic (pre-1933) designation and the associated insulation against the possibility of future government intervention.

Explaining further, $20 gold pieces are a unique combination of one of the safest and most liquid forms of gold ownership, but also potentially one of the most lucrative – specifically in situations that safe-haven investors describe as the scenarios in which they are most likely to rely on their gold positions.  For example, individuals who purchased BU $20 St. Gaudens in May of 2008 would have enjoyed a doubling of their investment by December 2009, during which the gold price itself had only appreciated $250/oz.

Ironically, the current low in $20 gold piece premiums, measured against an arguably undervalued gold price, in the midst of a destabilized macroeconomic backdrop, are all reminiscent of early 2008 – an environment that proved to be literally the single best ‘buying opportunity’ in $20 gold pieces in the last decade.

United States $20 Liberty
Grade:  Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted:  1850-1907
Actual Gold Content:  .9675 troy ounce

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One could argue that US. $20 Liberty Gold Coins are one of the best portfolio choices for asset preservation/safety-net oriented owners.  Owners seeking portfolio protection will appreciate the fact the these coins, while trending directly with the spot price of gold over time, also participate in the periods of premium expansion seen during ‘flight to safety episodes’ – the most recent of which occurred during 2008/09 financial crisis (see graphs below).  Such ‘double-barrel’ profit potential is only accentuated by the $20 Liberty’s historic (pre-1933) designation and the associated insulation against the possibility of future government intervention.

Explaining further, $20 gold pieces are a unique combination of one of the safest and most liquid forms of gold ownership, but also potentially one of the most lucrative – specifically in situations that safe-haven investors describe as the scenarios in which they are most likely to rely on their gold positions.  For example, individuals who purchased BU $20 Liberties in May of 2008 would have enjoyed a doubling of their investment by December 2009, during which the gold price itself had only appreciated $250/oz.

Ironically, the current low in $20 gold piece premiums, measured against an arguably undervalued gold price, in the midst of a destabilized macroeconomic backdrop, are all reminiscent of early 2008 – an environment that proved to be literally the single best ‘buying opportunity’ in $20 gold pieces in the last decade.

German 20 Marks 
(Wihelm II)
Grade: Uncirculated
Minted 1888 – 1913
Actual Gold Content: .2304 troy ounce

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German 20 Mark gold coins are some of the most popular with investors. As the last gold coin minted prior to the disastrous inflation that befell Germany in the 1920s, they proved to be life-savers for those who had the foresight to put some away before economic disaster struck. At the height of the 1920’s Nightmare German Inflation, a family’s life savings could not purchase a cup of coffee. A purse of Wilhelm 20 Mark gold coins on the other hand stubbornly held its value, a lesson that has not been lost on the modern saver, particularly those of German descent. Even today, it is said the nightmare inflationary experience of the 1920s affects central bank and federal government economic policy.

Wilhelm II ascended the throne of Germany in June of 1888. Fairly or not, he is generally recorded in history as one of its dark players — highly intelligent, but also tactless, vain, ambitious and adventurous. Historians believe his policies in the early 20th century, particularly toward Britain and France, drove Europe to the brink of war. His personal blunders also strained Germany’s diplomatic relations with other countries.

The most well known instance of this may be the “Daily Telegraph Affair” of 1908. When Wilhelm was offered an interview with the newspaper, he saw it as an opportunity to promote his views and ideas on Anglo-German friendship. Instead, due to his emotional volatility and subsequent outbursts during the course of the interview, Wilhelm ended up further alienating not only the British people, but also the French, Russians, and Japanese all in one fell swoop. He effectively implied that the Germans cared nothing for the British; that the French and Russians had attempted to instigate Germany to intervene in the Second Boer War (a war between the British and republics within South Africa, resulting in their addition to the British Empire); and that the German naval buildup during that time period was targeted against the Japanese, not Britain.

Netherlands 10 Guilder
(Queen Wilhelmina)
Grade range: Uncirculated/Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1892 – 1933
Actual Gold Content: .1947 troy ounce

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The Netherlands 10 Guilder Gold Coins are one of the most popular and highly sought-after pre-1933 European gold coins.  At roughly one fifith of an ounce, they trade for comparable premiums to modern bullion coins of the same size, are highly recognized and liquid in international markets, and move in direct concert with the gold price.  The Queen varieties offered here feature Queen Wilhelmina on the obverse of the coins, and are informally referred to as ‘Dutch Queens’.  Total mintages on Dutch Queens (see table to right) are modest, contributing to their affordability, but still notably less than the most common European issues of the era (Sovereigns for example averaged mintages over 30 million per year, versus the roughly 22 million Guilders struck total during just 9 years of production).

Holland is most famous in financial history for its Tulipmania in 1637 — the prototype financial bubble against which all other bubbles will forever be measured. The price of one special, rare type of tulip bulb called Semper Augustus was 1000 guilders in 1623, 1200 guilders in 1624, 2000 guilders in 1625, and 5500 guilders in 1637. Shortly thereafter, the bottom fell out on the market and prices plummeted to 1/200 of their peak price.

Though tulip bulbs have spent the last 366 years in happy financial dormancy, the more contemporary mania involving stocks and irredeemable paper money continue to crop around the globe with disturbing regularity. A Dutch newspaper reported in 2002 that there now exists a tulip appropriately named Dow Jones, and advised that stock market investors might consider cashing in their holdings and investing the proceeds in (you guessed it) . . . tulip bulbs. It seems they are once again on the upswing. History teaches us that gold coins, like the Dutch 10 Guilder, protect one’s portfolio against such mania.

Queen Wilhelmina, no-one’s fool, ascended the throne at a young age after the parliament passed a special law allowing a woman to become monarch. She first displayed an incisive intelligence during a meeting with the powerful Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany prior to World War I. Wilhelm boasted to the young Wilhelmina that “my guards are seven feel tall and yours are only shoulder high to them.” To this she replied politely: “Quite true, Your Majesty, your guards are seven feet tall, but when we open our dikes, the water is ten feet deep!”

Later, Wilhelmina would display this same acumen in the world of business and finance. She amassed a fortune through various business dealings and investments that surpassed a billion dollars, making her the first female billionaire in history. She moved throughout her life in the highest circles of international finance. Known for her spunk, she called Adolf Hitler “the archenemy of mankind” after being forced to leave Holland for England during the German invasion. In 1953, when the country was devastated by floods, she bicycled the countryside at 73 years of age offering hope and inspiration to the Dutch people. Her rule lasted a remarkable fifty-eight years. This series — both the king and queen varieties — remains a popular addition to accumulations in both the United States and Europe.

Swiss 20 Franc
(Helvetia or Vreneli)
Grade range: Uncirculated/Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1897 – 1935
Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce

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The Swiss 20 Franc ‘Helvetia’ is one of the most popular and highly sought-after pre-1933 European gold coins.  At roughly one fifith of an ounce, it trades for comparable premiums to modern bullion coins of the same size, is highly recognized and liquid in international markets, and moves in direct concert with the gold price.

The Swiss 20 Franc was minted more or less continuously from 1897-1930, with a total mintage of just under twenty million pieces (see accompanying mintage chart).  It was reintroduced in 1935, and the three year post-1933 mintages dwarf that of the rest of the historical (pre-1933) era.

The Swiss 20 Franc Helvetia is referred to informally as the “Vreneli” derived from “Verena” which is Switzerland’s equivalent to the United States Lady Liberty. Modeled by Francoise Engli, this female visage appears on the obverse of the gold coin with the word “Helvetia” written above her head. When the Roman Empire extended northward into Gaul during the second century B.C., the Helvetii were the dominant tribe in the area, and thus Switzerland became known to the Romans as Helvetia. On the reverse is a picture of the Swiss Cross surrounded by a shield, lying on an oak branch.

Owing to its central geographic location among the great powers of Europe, Switzerland has been a commercial and banking center for centuries. It is famous for its role in the gold market where “the gnomes of Zurich” are said to hold much sway. The “gnomes” made their first splash in the gold market when they convinced South Africa that Swiss bankers would be a better market for its gold than the London variety. Russian gold business quickly followed the South African lead. Noted gold authority Timothy Green once said that, “Gold is as much a part of Switzerland as the Alps and skiing.”

Many individuals in Europe and elsewhere who do not trust their own governments and financial systems trust the Swiss to handle their money. As a result, much of the world’s privately held gold is stored secretly in Swiss vaults. For centuries, Swiss bankers and money men have recommended gold coins and bullion as standard portfolio inclusion.

Investor Note: Some firms offer the far more common 1935, 1947, and 1949 mintages at a lower comparative price to the earlier coinage. If your interest is to acquire items dated before 1933, be certain that you are not inadvertently buying a post-1933 item.

British Sovereign Kings
(King Edward VII, George V)
Grade range:  Uncirculated/Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1902 – 1925
Actual Gold Content: .2354 troy ounces

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British Sovereign gold coins minted during the reigns of Edward VII (left image) and George V (right image) are probably the most widely owned and recognized gold coins in the world — so much so that the U.S. Army included them as part of its special forces survival pack for a number of years. Over 600 million of the St. George design Sovereigns were minted from 1816 to 1932, and other types come in a high state of preservation. Still today, an original bag of one thousand occasionally shows up in the marketplace.

The Edwardian era, named for Edward VII (left), differed sharply from the rigid and puritanical Victorian age which preceded it. Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria, and ruled Britain from 1901-1910. Queen Victoria insisted on an incredibly strict regimen for Edward, while never allowing his involvement in political affairs. As a result, Edward led a rebellious, indulgent lifestyle that many felt would compromise his ability to be an effective monarch. To the chagrin of his critics, Edward ruled peacefully and effectively during his reign, saving Britain from a budgetary crisis and strengthening relationships with European powers. Edward’s reign was a brief and happy time of peace and prosperity for Britain before the shadow of World War I descended upon Europe. He died in 1910 of a heart attack.

His second son, George V (right with wife, Queen Mary) succeeded his rule in 1910. George led Britain through World War I and the negative effects brought on by the Depression of 1929-1931. English Historian Robert Lacey describes George: “. . . as his official biographer felt compelled to admit, King George V was distinguished ‘by no exercise of social gifts, by no personal magnetism, by no intellectual powers. He was neither a wit nor a brilliant raconteur, neither well-read nor well-educated, and he made no great contribution to enlightened social converse. He lacked intellectual curiosity and only late in life acquired some measure of artistic taste.’ He was, in other words, exactly like most of his subjects. He discovered a new job for modern kings and queens to do — representation.” George V and his wife, Queen Mary, made the monarchy a symbol of conservative, middle-class virtue. George relinquished his German titles and adopted the name of Windsor for the British royal house.

The first British Sovereign Gold Coin was minted under Tudor King Henry VII in 1489 (not shown). It gets its name from that first mintage which depicts the monarch seated majestically on the throne facing outward. The current design type with St. George slaying a dragon on the reverse and the monarch on the front was introduced nearly 200 years ago in 1816 under George III.

The Sovereign was minted almost continuously from that date until 1932, when Britain went off the gold standard. Minting was resumed in 1957, as a bullion coin, with Queen Elizabeth on the obverse. As such, it holds the distinction of being the only pre-1933 coin to carry over to the modern era.

British Sovereign Queen Victoria
(Young Head Variety)
Grade range:  Extra Fine/Almost Uncirculated+
Minted 1871-1885
Actual Gold Content: .2354 troy ounces

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The Queen Victoria sovereign gold coins invoke a special nostalgia for a time when the British Navy ruled the seas, and the sun never set on the Empire. London flourished as the trading and financial capital of the world; Britain became the center of rapid technological innovation; and, India glittered as the Crown Jewel of the Empire. The gold Sovereign came to symbolize British financial solidity and to this day enjoys a strong international market, wide-spread recognition and strong liquidity.

The mints were pressed to keep pace with Queen Victoria’s 64 year reign. Several different portraits were utilized beginning with the Young Head portrait (1838-1887), followed by the Jubilee Head design meant to commemorate the 50th year of Queen Victoria’s rule (1887-1893) and finally the Veil Head design (1893-1901) which features the mature Victoria. All three designs display St. George slaying the dragon on the reverse. These Queen Victoria coins have lower mintages and are considerably scarcer than the King Sovereign issues of Edward VII and George V which followed.

The “Young Head” is offered for sale in quantity very infrequently, and holds rank as the oldest and rarest of the Sovereigns that can still be obtained at reasonable premiums?. NCG places a per coin suggested retail anywhere from $450-$600 for coins in similar condition to those offered here.

Belgian 20 Franc
(Leopold II)
Grade: Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted 1867 – 1882
Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce

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If one takes the time to contrast the computerized replication of modern currencies at little or no cost with the old world elegance, solidity and beauty of these Belgian 20 Franc gold coins, the argument for gold ownership makes itself. The “Leopold” invokes a simpler time when the long-term purchasing power of the national money was not an issue and the great nations of the world forthrightly made their money from gold. The saver knew that 20 francs deposited would translate to the same 20 francs in value when withdrawn.

The Belgian 20 Franc gold coins were minted to the Latin Monetary Union standard of .1867 ounces per coin, to facilitate cross border trade with the 20 Franc issues of other countries at that time (France, Switzerland, Italy, etc.).  The obverse shows Leopold II facing right. On the reverse is the Belgian coat of arms, and the inscription, “L’ Union Fait La Force” or “The Union Makes Strength”.  Belgian 20 Francs are slightly harder to come by than the more common French issues of the era, but still trade at very favorable premiums given their age and state of preservation.

Leopold II, whose portrait this coin bears, ruled Belgium from 1869 until his death in 1909. Leopold believed that establishing overseas colonies was the key to a country’s success, and he worked tirelessly to acquire colonial territory on the behalf of Belgium. Receiving little support from the Belgian government or the Belgian people, Leopold formed a private holding company to pursue his colonial interests. In 1879, Leopold hired the famous explorer Henry Morton Stanley to establish a colony in the Congo region of Africa. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, representatives from the United States and European countries recognized Leopold as sovereign of the Congo Free State, an area roughly 75 times the size of Belgium. History does not look kindly on Leopold’s actions from this point forward, as the King exploited horribly both the people and the land in the Congo region. Though he generated substantial personal wealth through the procurement of rubber and ivory, the Belgian parliament ultimately forced him to cede the land to his country in 1908.

Argentina 5 peso
(Argentino)
Grade: Uncirculated
Minted 1881 – 1896
Actual Gold Content: .2334 troy ounce

Mexican 50 pesos
Grade range: Uncirculated/Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted: 1921 to 1931
(Pre-1933 mintages only; no restrikes)
Actual Gold Content: 1.2057 troy ounce

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Less than 1/10 as many Mexico 50 pesos were struck as US $20 St. Gaudens during the 1920s alone. If you include the total mintage of $20 gold pieces across their 80 year production, the total population of Mexico 50 pesos is a mere 3% that of the $20 gold pieces. With premiums on uncirculated $20 gold pieces at times topping 50%, the opportunity for long-term premium growth in the Mexican 50 Pesos coins is notable. From 1921 to 1931, over 4.9 million 50 pesos were struck compared to nearly 50 million $20 St. Gaudens.*

Historical Note:

The 20th century is rife with examples of financial breakdown and Mexico’s rendezvous with economic disaster in 1994 is among the most instructive. The crisis began, as happens so often in these affairs, with a surprise announcement by Mexico’s government that the currency had been devalued. As soon as it was made public, depositors lined up at the banks to retrieve their money and inundated brokerages with sell orders. A general panic gripped the nation almost immediately. The inflation rate went to 50% overnight, and interest rates soared to 70%.

Only a proper diversification into gold well before the crisis emerged properly insulated savers from the devaluation’s pervasive reach into every area of the financial system. In many cases, those who managed to diversify did so in the physical gold former-coinage of the country. Immediately after the devaluation, the price of gold went from 1200 pesos per ounce to 2500 pesos, and from there it exceeded 3000 pesos in 1995, living up to its reputation as a safe-haven for investors.

In 1910 Mexico celebrated the Centennial of the beginning of its War of Independence with Spain. To commemorate the event, a giant column was erected in the middle of Mexico City with a statue of El Angel de la Independencia (The Angel of Independence), sitting atop. This 6.7-meter statue, constructed of Bronze and Gold, represents the “Winged Victory,” a Greek symbol for the goddess Nike (Victory). In her right hand the Angel holds a laurel crown, symbolizing Victory, while in her left she holds a broken chain, symbolizing Freedom.

*As a final note of clarification, the information above does not include re-strike versions of both the 50 pesos and 20 pesos. Both coins were heavily re-struck from 1944-1975, typically carrying the date 1947 in the case of the 50 pesos, and 1959 in the case of the 20 pesos. These re-strike coins are bullion items that carry lttle to no premium potential.

French 20 Franc Ceres
Grade range:  Extra Fine/Almost Uncirculated
Minted 1849-1851
Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounces

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Due to their extremely short-lived mintage – just 3 years from 1849-1851 – the French Ceres is one of the hardest pre-1900 European coins to locate in quantity.  It consistently holds distinction as the least expensive pre-civil war antiquity on a per ounce basis – an unmatched opportunity for the gold investor seeking to combine historical intrigue and rarity with pure gold accumulation.

The story behind the French Ceres gold coins is quite interesting. They were the primary coin issued during the Second Republic of France, which was established after the Revolution of 1848 ousted Emperor Louis Phillipe. After establishing a constitution, Prince Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, became the first ever President to be elected by universal suffrage in France on December 10, 1848. Interestingly, though, the gold coin representing this period in France’s history does not bear the visage of Louis-Napoleon.

Rather, the coin’s obverse is the allegorical figure symbolizing the French Republic, referred to as “Marianne”. Her image is meant to resemble that of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and the love a mother bears for her child – hence the coin’s name. Ceres was beloved for her service to mankind in giving them the gift of the harvest, the reward for cultivation of the soil.

The Second Republic ultimately lasted just three years. When it became evident the French Parliament would block President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte’s re-election bid in 1852, he promptly organized a coup in December 1851, seized power, re-wrote the constitution and declared himself emperor of France. Just like that, the Second Republic of France had ended, as did the mintage of the French Ceres gold coins.

In an interesting historical side note, Emperor Napoleon III claimed the throne of the Second Empire of France on December 2nd 1852, 48 years to the day after his Uncle, Napoleon I was crowned.

Uruguay 5 Peso
Grade range: Uncirculated/Brilliant Uncirculated
Minted: 1930
Actual Gold Content: .2501 troy ounce

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Listed in The Standard Catalogue of World Gold Coins as the only coin of its design type and minted in 1930 only, the catalogue notes: “Only 14,415 were released. Remainder withheld.” A hoard of roughly 80,000 coins (which comprised most of the remaining mintage) was released, rumor has it, by the Argentina Central Bank in 1998, and most of those coins were placed with private investors and collectors.  Add it up and you’ll quickly note that less than 100,000 total Uruguay 5 Pesos are known to exist, making them one of the most affordable true rarities in the gold market.  These coins rarely surface, and only in very small quantities, usually made available when early owners of the Argentine hoard pare down their holdings.  NGC places a sugested retail value of similar conditioned coins at $475 a piece.

Historical Note: It seems to be the sad legacy of many Latin American currencies to suffer “an endless death” at the inflationary hands of their official custodians. And so it has been with the fate of the Uruguayan peso during the latter half of the 20th century. Today, after a more or less continuous battle with inflation in Uruguay, doing the calculations with spot gold at $1000 per ounce, each physical 5 Pesos gold coin retains the same purchasing power as would currently require 4,800,000,000 of the original “old pesos” issued 75 years ago.

In 1930, the Uruguayan peso was of slightly greater value than the U.S. dollar. (Twenty U.S. dollars were “pegged” to the 0.9675 troy ounces of gold contained in the $20 double-eagle gold piece, whereas twenty Uruguayan pesos were “pegged” to the 1.0004 troy ounces of gold contained in four of these 5-peso face value coins.) As inflation took its toll, the New Peso was introduced in 1975 to replace the old peso at a rate of 1 NP for 1,000 old pesos. But alas, the New Peso also fell victim to these same inflationary trends, and was itself supplanted in turn at a rate of 1-for-1000 NP in March 1993 by the “newer” peso which circulates today (as of April 2010) at 19 pesos per U.S. dollar (a net plunge, effectively, from near parity to 19 million old pesos per dollar!)

Examination of this coin reveals the words Republica Oriental Del Uruguay (Oriental Republic of Uruguay). The designation “Oriental” in the official name of Uruguay refers to the country’s location upon the eastern bank of the Uruguay River, which separates it from Argentina to the west. Comprised of a population exceeding 3.25 million largely derived from Spanish and Italian descent and occupying a landmass about the size of Oklahoma between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguayans, in fact, sometimes call themselves “Orientals.”

Italy 20 Lira
(Victor Emanuele II)
Grade range: Almost Uncirculated/Uncirculated
Minted: 1861 – 1874
Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce

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Italy 20 Lira Vittorio Emanuele Gold Coins are considerably scarcer than Umberto varieites, and generally only surface in small lots.  Though just over 10,000,000 were minted total during their 13 year production, only a fraction have survived into the modern era in collectible condition.  Such reality is evidenced by NGC’s suggested retail price of $700-$800 per coin in similar condition as those offered here.  The 20 Lira gold coins were minted to the Latin Monetary Union standard of .1867 ounces per coin, to facilitate cross border trade with the 20 Franc issues of other countries at that time (France, Switzerland, Belgium, etc.).

Victor Emanuele’s place in history is inextricably connected to that of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian revolutionary leader with whom he collaborated to unite Italy under a single kingdom in the mid-19th century.  Prior to that, Italy was a loose confederation of states. Known among the Italian people as ‘the honest king,’ Victor Emmanuel became the symbol and central figure of the ‘Risorgimento,’ and spent the rest of his monarchy consolidating the new kingdom.

German 20 Marks
(Wilhelm I)
Grade range: Extra Fine/Almost Uncirculated+
Minted 1871 – 1888
Actual Gold Content: .2304 troy ounce

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German 20 Mark Wilhelm I Gold Coins are subtantially scarcer than the more commonly seen Wilhelm II varieties.  While many millions were minted, a great many were lost through through the course of the two world wars that very few survived into the modern era.  NGC suggested retail for similarly conditioned coins is $385 a piece, a roughly $50 premium to those offered here.

Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig (1797-1888) ascended to the Prussian throne in 1861. Showing little political interest, his primary goal upon gaining power was to reorganize and strengthen the Prussian army. He was met with opposition from the Prussian legislature, and his desire to remain politically neutral led to his appointment of Otto von Bismark as his prime minister in 1862. Bismark proved to be far more historically significant than Wilhelm I, engaging Prussia in a number of conflicts aimed at attaining the goal of a unified German Empire. Perhaps the most notable of these conflicts was the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Upon the defeat and surrender of Napoleon III at Sedan, Wilhelm I was proclaimed the first emperor of Germany (Kaiser) in 1871. These events, and the conflicts that ensued between Germany and France, eventually escalated into World War I.

The number of Italian 20 Lira Gold Coins minted under the rule of King Umberto was relatively small when compared to other items in its genre (see mintage study to left).  Nearly all Italy 20 Lira featuring King Umberto that come to market are dated 1882. These items generally surface in a ‘proof-like’ uncirculated condition and are essential to any collection of 19th and 20th century gold coins. Despite the small mintage and generally high state of preservation, the pricing is favorable, making these one of the most coveted pre-1900 dated coins from the historic fractional genre.  The 20 Lira gold coins were minted to the Latin Monetary Union standard of .1867 ounces per coin, to facilitate cross border trade with the 20 Franc issues of other countries at that time (France, Switzerland, Belgium, etc.).

Umberto I, also known as Humbert I, was King of Italy from 1878 until his death in 1900. He was son to Victor Emmanuel II, who united Italy under a single kingdom during the ‘Risorgimento’ movement of the 19th century. Umberto I was the only modern King of Italy to die by assassination, killed by the Italo-American anarchist Gaetano Bresci. In history, Umberto I was referred to as “The Good” although he was wildly unpopular throughout his rule with left-wing circles. His assassination was said to be retribution for his praise of General Fiorenzo Bava-Beccaris’ restoration of order during an uprising in the city of Milan. In this uprising, Bava-Beccaris used a cannon against demonstrators protesting the rising cost of bread. Two assassination attempts on Umberto I immediately followed, with the third attempt ultimately claiming the King’s life in 1900.

French 20 Franc
(Angel)
Grade: Uncirculated
Minted 1878 – 1913
Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce

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Owning the famous French Angel 20 Franc Gold Coin has always been considered good luck. Legend has it that an earlier version accompanied Napoleon in his quest to conquer Europe. He carried it in the long march to Russia and back until he finally misplaced it — the day before the Battle of Waterloo. When the coin’s designer, Augustine Dupre, was sentenced to death, he held a gold Angel as he prayed for his life; it caught the eye of his guard, allowing him to ‘negotiate’ his escape from the guillotine.

The French Angel 20 Francs were minted in vast numbers over a great many years (see mintage study to right), beginning with a brief mintage prior to the Second French Republic (1849/50), followed by a reintroduction in 1871, that precipitated a more or less continous production over the ensuing 35 years.  Though one of the more common European coins by total mintage, they remain some of the most highly sought after and widely held historic world gold coins in existence.  As such, they are difficult to locate in quantity and even harder to find in a high state of preservation, making the Brilliant Uncirculated coins offered here truly exceptional.

The French Angel characterizes the ideals of the French Revolution. Symbolically, the angel depicted on the obverse represents the Spirit of France and he is shown on the coin writing the French Constitution. A rooster symbolizing vigilance appears next to the angel. Behind the angel stands the fasces or bundle of rods – a symbol of power previously carried by Roman magistrates. On top of the fasces is the Cap of Liberty, which also appears on U.S. coinage with the same meaning. The slogan; Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite appears on the reverse along with the date. The French Angel gold coins were minted to the Latin Monetary Union standard of .1867 ounces per coin, to facilitate cross border trade with the 20 Franc issues of other countries at that time (Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, etc.).

There are literally thousands of stories about the powers of the ‘French Angel.’ There are stories of people who claim their lives were saved during some tragic event to those who extol its healing powers from terminal cancer and other diseases. I have even found websites where many have told their stories. Never have I seen so much mysticism surrounding a numismatic coin. This is a coin that any collector can enjoy for its beauty, but the stories behind this coin really make it a collectors’ must have piece.

— Raymond Hanisco, Coin Collecting Editor, Bella Online.

Silver Peace Dollars 
Grade: Uncirculated
Fineness: .900 pure silver
Net fine weight: .77343 troy ounces

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The U.S. Peace silver dollars were minted beginning just after the end of World War I — “the war to end all wars” — and was thus came to be known as the “Peace dollar.” It was minted from 1921 through 1935 to the same specifications as its predecessor, the Morgan silver dollar, and too, traces its ancestry to the legendary Spanish 8 reales that circulated in the American colonies prior to and during the Revolutionary War. The coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints and over its lifetime roughly 190 million of the coin were produced. Of that number, experts believe that almost 80% were melted. In one notable instance, the government ordered the melting of 50 million silver dollars to provide electric conductors for the Manhattan Project in 1942. Many of the coins melted were believed to have been Peace dollars.

The official silver to gold ratio during the period of the coin’s production was sixteen to one meaning that the federal government officially sanctioned a monetary value of sixteen ounces of silver to one ounce of gold. The coins routinely trade individually, in rolls of twenty coins and bags of 1000 coins. The coin was designed by sculptor Anthony de Francisci. The obverse bears a representation of Lady Liberty similar to the Statue of Liberty and the reverse depicts an eagle perched on rock carrying an olive branch.

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

United States Morgan Silver Dollar
Grade:  Brilliant Uncirculated
Fineness: .900 pure silver
Silver content: .77343 troy ounces
Face value: One dolla

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The U.S. Morgan silver dollar is among the most famous, collected and accumulated silver coins ever minted. Produced by the United States Mint from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, the Morgan dollar bears a representation of Lady Liberty on its obverse and the American eagle on its reverse. Its monetary predecessor was the legendary Spanish 8 reales (or piece of eight) which circulated in the colonies before the establishment of the United States as a free republic in 1776. The coins were minted at the Philadelphia, Carson City, Denver, New Orleans and San Francisco mints and over the 27 years of its production nearly 650 million Morgan silver dollars were produced. Of that amount, experts estimate that roughly 17% have survived to present. The official silver to gold ratio during the period of the coin’s production was sixteen to one meaning that the federal government officially sanctioned a monetary value of sixteen ounces of silver to one ounce of gold. The coins routinely trade individually, in rolls of twenty coins and bags of 1000 coins. It is referred to as the Morgan silver dollar after its designer, George T. Morgan.

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

South African Silver Krugerrand 
Fineness: .999 pure silver
Weight: 1.0 troy ounce
Face value: 1 Rand

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In August 2018, for the first time in it’s 50+ year history, the South African mint released a Silver Krugerrand.  A one ounce coin minted to a purity of .999, the Silver Krugerrand mirrors it’s gold counterpart, with the reverse featuring the springbok and the obverse the bust of Paul Kruger, who played a significant role in South Africa gaining independence from Britain in the late 1800’s.  Offered at a slightly lower premium to the popular American Silver Eagle, the Silver Krugerrand is an attractice option for those looking to procure silver through one ounce government minted coins, at a slight lower cost per ounce.  Add in the intrigue of ‘first year of issue’, and these are a great option for building a position in silver, especially at current prices.

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

Austrian Philharmonic
(Silver)
Fineness: .999 pure silver
Weight: 1.0 troy ounce
(31.10 grams)
Face value: 1.50 Euro

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The Austrian (also Vienna) Philharmonic produced by the Austrian Mint (pictured left) is among the most artistically appealing of the bullion silver coins minted for the investment market. Struck in pure silver, investors have purchased many millions making it one of the most popular silver bullion coins currently available, and thebiggest seller in Europe. Its first year of issue was 2008.

Like its gold counterpart, the silver coin, designed by Thomas Pesendorfer, depicts an assortment of musical instruments, including a string bass, cellos, violins, a bassoon, a harp and a Viennese horn, on its reverse. The obverse of the coin shows the great organ of the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, the home of the famed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The face value, weight, fineness and year of issue are also featured on this highly liquid legal tender coin.

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

Canadian Maple Leaf 
(Silver)
Fineness: .9999 pure silver
Weight: 1.0 troy ounce
(31.103 grams)
Face value: $5 

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Encouraged by the success of the Gold Maple Leaf, the Mint introduced Silver Maple Leaf Coins in 1988. The Silver Maple Leaf is minted with one troy ounce of 9999 fine silver. The coin has a face value of $5, the highest face value of any comparable silver bullion coin.

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

American Silver Eagle 
Fineness: .999 pure silver
Weight: 1.0 troy ounce
Face value: One Dollar

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American Silver Eagle Coins have been produced at the United States Mint at West Point and sold in both proof and bullion finishes since 1986. They have always featured a rendition of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman’s magnificent Walking Liberty design, originally prepared and executed for the Nation’s first circulating half-dollar coin in 1916… widely considered one of the most beautiful American coins ever minted.

Aside from the proof version, the United States Mint does not sell American Eagle Bullion coins directly to the public. Instead, the Mint distributes uncirculated Bullion coins through a network of wholesalers, brokerage companies, precious metal firms, coin dealers, and participating banks, a network known as Authorized Purchasers. A bullion coin is a coin that is valued by its weight in a specific precious metal. Unlike commemorative or numismatic coins valued by limited mintage, rarity, condition and age, bullion coins are purchased by investors seeking a simple and tangible means to own and invest in the gold, silver, and platinum markets.”

A Quick Note on Silver Prices:

The current ratio of gold to silver of roughly 85:1 is within throwing distance of most undervalued condition in the market’s history.  Even a return to the historic average of 62:1 would have remarkable implications for the silver price.  In fact, widely read technical analyst Clive Maund called the current silver market ‘The most bullish set up for silver that I have ever seen.”  For a more detailed review of silver ownership, we invite you to read our special report linked immediately below.

Questions?  Give us a call or send us an email.  Market insight, analysis & guidance from real experts with real experience. 46 years in business.  A+ BBB.  Zero complaints.

Gold bars are produced in a wide variety of sizes, shape, and fineness, most of them destined for one-way transit to manufacturing end-users who intend to refabricate the gold into other forms such as industrial/electronic plating or decorative applications. Most gold bars are not intended for use as investment products (i.e., recirculated on the secondary public market) primarily because their authentic weight and purity both fall into question owing to the ease of tamperability once the bars have traveled outside of the original commercial chain of custody.

Generally speaking, we recommend the purchase of gold bars only when the bars are stored at a depository and never leave the storage account, as is the case with most retirement plan purchases. We do not gaurantee repurchase when a client takes delivery of the bars and then wishes to ship and liquidate. For the individual investor who demands more flexibility with regard to both portability and liquidity, gold coins fit the bill perfectly and are by far the most popular form of gold ownership.

Australian Kangaroo
Fineness: .9999
Actual Gold Content: 1.0 troy ounce (31.103 grams)
Diameter: 32.1 mm
Face value: $100

(Also minted in 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 ounce sizes)

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The Australian Kangaroo, like the Chinese Panda, incorporates a different design each year. Only in Australia’s case it features the famous marsupial, after which it is named. First produced in 1989, the mintages are generally low when compared to other gold bullion coins — a feature that heightens its appeal as a collectors’ item.

The Kangaroo is a pure, legal-tender gold coin (.9999 fine) and comes in one-ounce (troy), half-ounce, quarter-ounce, tenth-ounce and twentieth-ounce sizes. The Kangaroo also comes uniquely in a kilo-sized gold coin weighing 32.15 ounces. The coins come in protective wrappers to protect the delicate pure gold surfaces. The obverse of the coin bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The coins are struck with their weight, the face value and the purity. All issues are struck by the Perth Mint and valued for their high-quality finish and artistic workmanship.

South African Gold Krugerrand
Fineness: .9167
Actual Gold Content: 1.0 troy ounce (31.103 grams)
(also minted in 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 troy ounce sizes)
Quantity Discounts offered on orders of 50 coins or more. Please call.

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The first South African Gold Krugerrands were minted in 1967 as a gold bullion coins, the value of which was based upon the international spot price of the metal. The concept of a one ounce gold coin tied to spot gold’s fluctuations quickly caught on. Nearly 50 million have been minted since 1967.

The Krugerrand is an alloyed coin at 22 karats, or .9167 purity. Denominated as one ounce of gold, it is struck with no face value indicated on the coin. Quite often contemporary investors purchasing Krugerrands are surprised to discover the coin they purchased bears a date other than the current year. This is testimony to the coin’s duration as a market item and the strong secondary market it enjoys.

Featured on the coin’s reverse is the springbok, a natural inhabitant of the dry savannahs able to run at speeds up to 80 km/hr and jump over 10 meters. The springbok is the icon of the national rugby team.

The Krugerrand was the first legal tender gold bullion coin to gain worldwide use in the modern era. To this day, many gold owners equate gold ownership with Krugerrand ownership. The Krugerrand as a bullion item received its first competition from the Canadian Maple Leaf, introduced in 1979. Eventually the Krugerrand was supplanted as the world’s top seller — in 1984 the U.S. Congress banned the import of the Krugerrand as part of the economic sanctions imposed on South Africa. The premium dropped to slightly-above the spot gold price and has only recently recovered in concert with the latest bull market rally in gold.

Historical Note: The history of South Africa is inextricably bound to gold. Since the time the metal was first discovered in the Transvaal by Alec “Wheelbarrow” Patterson in 1873, the international ebb and flow of gold’s fortunes figured directly in the fortunes of South Africa itself. The two Boer Wars in the late 19th century, between Dutch (Afrikaners) and British settlers, were essentially territorial battles over the South African gold fields. Paul Kruger, whose portrait graces the obverse of the famed Krugerrand bullion gold coin, led the Afrikaners and in 1883 became the first president of the new South African Republic. At the end of the 19th century, the Second Boer War culminated in defeat of the Afrikaners resulting in British accession to sovereignty.

Shortly thereafter, the Union of South Africa became the largest gold producing country in the world — a position it held for most of the 20th century with production at times accounting for as much as one-third the world’s total output. Now, the South African mines, some of the deepest in the world, are in decline, and South Africa ranks as the world’s seventh largest producer.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
Fineness: .9999
Actual Gold Content: 1.0 troy ounce
Face value: $50
(also minted in 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 troy ounce sizes)
Quantity Discounts offered on orders of 50 coins or more.  Please call.

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Canada made its entry in the competitive bullion gold coin market in 1979 with the Maple Leaf, the first pure gold bullion coin — a concept which quickly garnered a significant share of market interest. In early advertisements, Maple Leaf coins were pictured flowing from a gold bullion bar — an artifice which effectively made the point that bullion gold coins’ pricing was related to the spot price. At the time of its unveiling, the Maple Leaf’s only competitor was the South African Krugerrand — a coin alloyed with copper to 22 karat. It is produced in one-ounce, one-half ounce, quarter-ounce and one-tenth ounce sizes.

Early Maple Leaf bullion coins were minted at .999 purity, but in 1982 the Royal Canadian Mint went to the .9999 pure gold coin — the standard to which it produces coins today. Each coin bears the .9999 purity stamp along with the date, the weight and the face value. The Canadian Maple Leaf is a legal tender gold coin — a status that allows it to be used as currency and in debt settlements. The earlier issues with the .999 stamp trade at a discount to the later mintages.

The Maple Leaf gold coins were a major beneficiary of the credit and financial crisis which began in 2008. That year the Royal Canadian Mint reported an unprecedented jump in bullion coin sales — from 278,600 ounces in 2007 to 896,000 in 2008. Whereas the other national mints had trouble keeping up with demand, the Winnipeg mint seemed much better equipped to deal with the onslaught, and Maple Leaf availability remained steady throughout the 2007-2009 period.